WANTED

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 251, 17 July 1920, Page 8

WANTED

MEN, MONEY AND MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT WORKS HAMPERED \ ' Canterbury and West Coast members, supported by delegates from tho West Coast, interviewed the Prime Minister (Mr. Masscy) and the Minister of Public Works (Mr. Coates) yesterday, to ask for the completion of the Duller Gorge railway. They stated that the railway had been started fourteen years ago and that a sum of ,£324,000 had already been spent, upon it. Tho estimated cost of n°rK tlni i tho line wns something over £500,000 nt present rales of wages. Tho d stance between the uncompleted ends ot the line was about sixteen miles. The completed lino would open up a coalheld with an area of about 22 square miles, with outcrops 0 f coal from 11 feet to 16 feet tuck at many points. 1 Ins held could bo worked on the cooperative principle by groups of miners, and it would attract to the West Coast many miners who at present were working m other occupations. The deputation emphasised the strategic importance of placing the harbour of Westiwrt in direct communication by rail with other parts of the South Island. Mr, Massey said that the deputnt'on had made out a good case for tho con-* smiction of the Buller Gorge line. But the Government had to face the fact that tho construction of railways was a •mattor of men, money and materials, and that all these necessaries were scarce, especially the men and materials. Ho was glad to hear from the deputation that the miners were gradually drifting back to the West Coast, anil he hoped that the drift would continue, lie would take tho first onnortuntv of visiting the district himself. The sup. my of West Coast coal for the Navv was an important factor in the adjustment of coal supplies. The Imperial authorities were continually asking for coal for the warships at. fngapore. anil the Australian Government had simnlv demanded a supnly of Westnort coal for Hie Australian Navy. Tho Federal Goveminent had even threatened that if New Zealand did not supply Weslport will it would cut off the supply of certain commodities that the Dominion needed from Australia. Fa recognised the importance to (lie Donr'm'nn and to the Empire of Westnort Itnrlxmr. and I,'/'"'- proposed railway would hn T <, a e.vntencal as well a= a.commercial value Itut it wa<s impossible to build at 'ono rime all the railways that New Zealand needed. The Government would dn 'ts best with the money at, its disposal. 'He tme certainly hnd come for a forward rolicy.

Mr. Twinnd: You find the money and *" will find the men. Mr. Massey: It is not easy to find the tnen.

XIY. Holland: I made you an offer the Other rlny.

Mr. Massey: "Fes. hut it. lias not been WW un Tho Primo Jfinfehr wHe<l that the Government felt the ripht policy wris to complete pertain railway as mncey as possible. The miestion would he dealt with in the Piihlie Works Statement. The Government honed to ;n msiiPf) to every nart of NW Zeajam..- anTl r i, o West Coast would not bo lost sight of.

Mr. Coa-res said the Bul'or Gorge lino undoubtedly was important. But he wrald not say yet what place the line would occupy on the Government's list He was impressed by the very kr«o amount of coal in tho Buller.' district, and by tlic fact that tho seams could i>e worked on the co-onerat : re system en, ivny Ileflv - T o " t,nj '- Tho request of thp deputation would bo carefully con-