MR. HEALY'S PLEA

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 93, 17 October 1934, Page 10

MR. HEALY'S PLEA

SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK

"VOICE IN WILDERNESS"

Another plea on behalf of Marlborough for the completion of the South Island Main Trunk lino was put up by Mr. E. F. Healy (Government, Wairau) during the course of his speech on the Public Works Statement in the House of Representatives last night. Mr. Healy said that the inference to be drawn from the statement was that railway construction had ceased in New Zealand for all time. That was a sorry state of affairs, and he urged the Government to consider the advisability of completing both the South Island Main Trunk and the Na-pier-Gisborne line. Mr. A. J. Stalhvorthy (Independent, Eden): Why don't you put the Government out? Mr. Healy: I would if the honourable gentleman could show me anything better to put in its place. I have yet to be convicted on that point. A member: Convicted? Mr. Healy: I mean I have .vet to be convinced on that point. The Prime Minister represents every inch of the territory through which the line would pass. He used to advocate the completion of tho line, but now I am left to cry alone in tho wilderness. Mr. W. J. Poison (Government, Stratford): You must be disappointed. Mr. Healy: No, I am not disappointed because"l am quite fit to fight on. I have got the ear of the Minister and lam hanging on to it. (Laughter.) I am not inferring that I am out pighunting. Mr. H. T. Armstrong (Labour, Christohurch East): You would not be hero if you did npt support that railway. Mr. Healy said that he objected to £250,000 being spent on a road to Milford Sound at a time when the Government would not spend further money on the uncompleted railways. "It makes me hot under Ilic collar,''" ho said. Tilt; next speaker, !M r. l>. Me Kern (Labour. Wellington South) said that it wns useless to appeal to ihe Government. "" goi's in one oar and out Ilic otlior, like waU'r t>n si dork's bark," he said.