THE OTIRA TUNNEL

Evening Star, Issue 16987, 8 March 1919, Page 11

THE OTIRA TUNNEL

* A deputation of members of Parliament, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Progress League waited on the Hon. J. A. Hanan at Christchurch yesterday and asked him to urge the Grovemment to expedite the completion of the Otira tunnel. The speakers pointed out that in the North Island four men were etnployed on raihvay works as compared -with one in the South Island, and in regard to expenditure there was a margin of £644,800 in favor of the North Island. The completion of the tunnel -would relieve the coal and the labor situation. It was also mentioned that a suggestion had been made that the Canterbury members 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 fslander, he was prepared to assist reasonable claims of the North Island. He sooke of the unity of the Canterbury members, and their zeal for the province. It was very seldom that five or six nr.en could hold up the House. He hoped there would be no necessity for Canterbury members to take a bold and reckless course. The war had caused conditions to be abnormal, but now that men were coming back they could find, employment for many men on public works. He knew that the" Minister was anxious to push on works under his control. He would represent the claims of this district for the completion of the- tnnnel as strongly as they had been represented to him.