RAILWAY REQUIREMENTS

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 56, 8 March 1919, Page 4

RAILWAY REQUIREMENTS

THE OTIRA TUNNEL.

(II TELEGRAM".—PRESS ASSOCIATIOK.)

CHRISTCHURCH, 7th March-.

A deputation of members of Parliament, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Progress League waited on the Hon. J. A. Hanan and asked him to urge the Government to expedite the completion of the Otira Tunnel. The speakers pointed out that in the North Island four men w.ere employed on railway works as compared with one in the South Island, and in regard to expenditure there was a margin of £644,800' in favour of the North Island.. The completion of the tunnel would relieve "the coal and the labour situations. It was also mentioned that a suggestion had been made that the Canterbury members should form a solid phalanx and put up a protest in the House by obstruction. The Hon. Mr. Hanan, in the course of his reply, said that while he was a strong South Islander, he was prepared to assist the reasonable claims of the North Island. He spoke of the unity of the Canterbury members, and their zeal for the province. It was very seldom that five or six men could hold up the House. . He hoped there would be no necessity for the Canterbury members to take a bold and reckless course. The war had caused conditions to be abnormal, but now that the men were coming back they could find employment for many on public works. He knew that the Minister was anxious to push on the works under his control. He would represent the claims of this district for the completion of the tunnel as strongly as they had done, to him.