ALLEGED PROMISE

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 46, 31 August 1928, Page 10

ALLEGED PROMISE

EAST COAST LINE SUBJECT TO PARTY SUPPORT MINISTERIAL DENIALS An allegation- that the Prime Minister had promised a delegation ■which was said to have waited on him in "Wellington that ho^ would confirm the coastal route for tho East Coast Railway, in preference to tho inland route, within six weeks if the delegation would support tho Reform Party was quoted in the House of Representatives last night by Mr. W. A. Veiteh (Wanganui). The allegation was denied by' Mr. Coates and also by tho Ministor,of Public AVorks. Mr. Veiteh referred to tho dispute in the Gisbornc district as to the course of the East Coast railway, and recalled that in/tho Public Works Statement of last- year- an announcement was made to the effect that tho coastal route was the best route that could bo adopted. It was not definitely stated that that route would be. 'finally approved, but it was very clearly indicated that it was the intention of the Government to finally adopt it. Mr. Veiteh said it had been stated to him that a deputation of the Railway Leaguo from the East Coast district waited on the Prime Minister and the Minister of- Public Works quite recently. As a result of the local dispute it was decided by the Government that a, trial survey would be made of the. alternative routes inland. | Thai.had t>een started, but he understood, it had not yet been completed. AT A MEETING IN GISBORNE. "A"remarkable incident had occurred in Gisborne quite recently," ho said. "At a meeting held there on the 22nd of this month a gentleman who had been to Wellington as a delegation from the local .Railway League made the statement that the Prime Minister had promised him to confirm the coastal route within'six weeks subject to tho delegation supporting the Reform Party. That statement was made in the presence of a number of reputablo citizens of the' district, and I have the telegram confirming- the statement signed by several wellknown geutlemcu of the Gisborne district." ■ Tho Prime Minister: "Who are they?"' Mr. Veiteh: "I prefer not_ to give any names at present." Mr. Coates: "Oh,.it is all rumour." The Minister of Health (tho Hon. J. A. Young): "It is ridiculous." . ■Mr. Veiteh: "It may not be ridiculous." Mr. Coates: "Give us something substantial.' That'is all hearsay.'.' Mr. Veiteh: *'I submit it is not, but that it is a very serious question." Mr. Coates: "There is no truth in it. ... Let's have the names. I can't believe the honourable member." Mr. Veiteh said he was merely stating that he had received a telegram to the effect he had declared. Mr. Coates: "Will tho honourable gentleman table the telegram?" Mr. Veiteh said he would tablo a copy of it in the meantime. He read the telegram to the House.' • The Minister of Health: "Do you believe tho statement in the telegram?" Mr. Veiteh said, he was not under cross-examination: i ■ . Mr. Coates:'"What was the meeting?" ; '■ : ;■■'■■ ■; : ■ ■ ;■■ ■ • A POLITICAL MEETING. Mr. Veiteh: "It was a meeting which had some political significance, and it was held to discuss the political situation ~o"f the Gisborne dstrict." "Your party?" queried the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. O. J. Hawken). "No," replied Mr. Veiteh, "my party was represented, but it was not a meeting of my party, nor was it called by n\y party. The question is, 'Did the Prime Minister make that promise or not1?' " • . ' ' > ■ Mr. Coates: "There was no deputation, to begin with." Mr. Veiteh stated in reply to a further question that he was not going to ask 'the Prime Minister a question about tho matter* across the floor of the House.. ,' V Mr. Coates:' "I wish the honourable gentleman would, because it is easily answered." ; :. 0;_ ■ Mr. Veiteh said he had read the exact words of the telegram, and it :was his duty to the Government and the Prime Minister to bring the matter forward. and let it; be cleared up. "It is Untrue," repeated the Prime Minister. . Mr. Veiteh: "The Prime Minister ■was not present at the meeting. I have spoken to a gentleman, who was present, and he assures me the statement was made. I think the, next move is on the!" Government side." He added that if the survey had not yet been finished it was clear that the Primo Minister : was not justified in making any decision in respect to the matter. AN ABSOLUTE DENIAL. The Minister of Public Works' (the Hon. K. S. Williams) said it was perfectly true that there were two suggested routes —the coastal and the inland —and it was also truo that there was a considerable amount of discussion in the district in regard to which route should bo followed by the railway. Several deputations had waited on him.in regard to the matter, and one deputation in January last had expressed the view that the inland route would be more costly than the coastal route. Seeing that a considerable'amount of money was involved he had tliought it" better in the interests of the district and of the general taxpayer, who'had to find the money, that a further investigation of tho routes should take place before a decision was reached. When he returned to Wellington from the district he had authorised a further survey. Since then he had been deputationised again, and had been requested to state when the decision would be made as to which route was going to be decided upon. He had told the deputation that he would give no assurance except that the survey would be made as early as possible. He /had stated that it was absurd to suggest that the work might be completed in three weeks, a month, or even': six weeks. As to tho promise ■which was alleged to'have been given by the Prime Minister, he (Mr, Williams) was prepared to give that an absolute denial, because he knew that the.gentleman concerned ;had not been in Wellington since he had seen him as a member of the deputation. Mr. Williams said he had that day received a telegram from Gisborne which stated: : "I. emphatically state you gave me nothing definite as to which railway i'outo; would •' bo followed.'' The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. E. Holland): "Who sent that telegram?" ' Mr. Williams: "If the honourable member for Wanganui will tell me who sent him the telegram which ho has read to the House, I will be prepared to give the name of the sender of my telegram. I think it is only fair that the member who has made the charge phouliV disclose-the names of.his informants." ..... Tlio Prime: Minister stated subsequently that/ fortunately he had tho minutes of an interview, and he could say definitely that the information irhieh cainc from Gisborno was entirely wrong.