MINISTER’S VISIT

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 October 1944, Page 6

MINISTER’S VISIT

BULLER COUNTY PROTEST

WESTPORT, October 30. A protest at the way in v/hich Mr. O’Brien and Mr. F. W. Furkert came into 'and went out of the district today 'was made by the Buller County Council to-day, and it was resolved that when representatives of the Crown visit the district in future the people be given an opportunity to see them or have representations made to them. , . In reply to an inquiry, the chairman (Mr. J. Ward) said no notification had been sent to the council. It was only when he was telephoned by the Mayor on Saturday that he learned the Minister and Mr. Furkert were coming to Westport. This morning he was informed they would arrive at 10 a.m. “We should view this with great concern,” said Cr. Tyler. “Westport harbour concerns us more than it concerns other bodies, and we should at least be recognised.” The chairman: I was disagreeably surprised myself. In the past we have always received notification of such visits. . , , , Cr. Connew. in raising a protest at the way in wnich the Minister came in and out of the district, said at present there was considerable comment on the apathy of the Government on the harbour question, improvements would have to be effected in the near future to cope with the greater volume of coal which would be won from the Buller coalfields, it the ships left port short loaded there would be an idle time in the Buller mines. The mining world looked with concern on the possibility of ( coal consignments being held up. if in the next 25 years the harbour deteriorates as it has in the last 25 years (under State control), then we will have no harbour at all,” he added.