MINISTER WAS “STORMED” AT REEFTON

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 September 1949, Page 4

MINISTER WAS “STORMED” AT REEFTON

[SPECIAL REPORTER] REEFTON, This Day.—“ Stormed” by >men and women wanting to form deputations, some on the same subject, while visiting Reefton last, week-end, the Minister of Lands and Rehabilitation, Mr C. F. Skinner, is to be “protected” from this nuisance on future visits to the southern, portion of his electorate. ■: This course was decided upon by members of the Inangahua County Council at a meeting yesterday, when the many approaches to Mr Skinner and the Minister of Health, Miss M. B. Howard, were described. It was stated that during the weekend, deputations “collared” the Minister at every opportunity. Three different deputations went to see him about the one bridge. “It is not right that deputations should be allowed to tackle the Minister in the ‘pub’.or in the street,” said the chairman, Cr J. S. McGregor, agreeing with a proposal that future visits be advertised and citizens desiring to see the Minister make arrangements with the county clerk so that a schedule could be prepared.' The deputations could then be heard in the council chambers in a proper manner. Stating that the Minister had been annoyed, Cr E. Chandler said that one man had approached the Minister with a grievance and had been heard, but could not be shaken off. “The Minister gradually worked his way to his car, but the fellow got his" foot in the back and stuck his head in when the Minister was about to drive off,” he added. “I had to take him away forcibly in the finish,”