APPEAL FOR UNITY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11406, 6 January 1931, Page 5

APPEAL FOR UNITY

Lt.-Col. R. F. Gambrill, presidentof tbe. Gishorno Returned Soldiers’ Association, expressed regret that all present at tho meeting could not fcirin a deputation to AVellington in support of the line- (A voice: “If we had a train we could.’’) Ho would like to reiterate tho comment^ made by Air Bickford that there had been too much disunity in the past. If they had not been so busy bickering over tho choice of route, then they would have had tho line to-day. “Let us- try; to achieve some unity to work together”, he added. “The sooner -wo cut out party politics, the better for tho district. Give all your support tp the delegation and. if their, efforts are not successful, then .roll lip to furtfier meetings, so that the Government may know that wo will figlit on until we got that railway..” ... AUCKLAND’S SUPPORT WHEN LINE RAN NORTHWARDS Air V. Barker stated that, despite all that had been said by previous speakers, they could never bottom the well of truths in support of tho line. Ho then briefly .reviewed the history of the attempts to obtain railway connection for Gishorno, mentioning especially Auckland’s early support of the project when the mooted route was northwards. For over 25 years investigations had been carried out freely by different Governments, so tliat. tho fullest information regarding the district’s resources was surely available. • He recalled that, when visiting Poverty Bay, the Hons. AV. B. Taverner and E. A. Ransom spoke very warmly in support of the possibilities of the district. The benefit to. farmers of rail connection could < not be overstated. AVTth the line, so said • tho wool- buyers, they would hold wool sates here, which, would mean thousands of pounds saved to the district annually. AIOTOR TRAFFIC DANGERS The traffic would he- enormously increased, lie felt sure,.-for with tho cars -it was the rule to find at least olio passenger sick at some part of the journey, while, one car per week became involved in a mishap. Taking six passengers to a car, it Was thus apparent that -300' persons went over the side and had their lives endangered .every • year. It was said that we had a ,good road, hut our road was such that, .ywere it elsewhere, people would : stand up in ’-horror at haying to use it;; No railway an IjTew Zealand was .bettor suited to attract goods ’traffic than would he the local one. It was- beyond question, too, that the - incidental advantages accruing would be far in v expegs pf the actual earning power- -

AVHAT IS BEHIND THE CESSA- ' TION? V- ' AVlien all 'things we-rei considered, continued Air Barker, it made one wonder what was behind the suggested stoppage. One -party had intimated that, if it could he established there was revenue, or incidental advantages then we would have the line. There was . not the slightest doubt that both revenue and -incidental advantages would be obtained, yet there was this threat of stopping -the work. AA r hy? Between Christchurch and AVellmgten there was one of the finest ferry services in tbe world .and 'the Union Steamship Co. intended to place a 7,000ton vessel in commission there at an qarly date .to enter into competition Witli • the South Island Main Trunk. “Look at the lines being continued”, said- Air. Barker, “and ask yourself white bargains have been struck. wliAt wires, have been pulled. Tho Government must -understand that the ,last word -has-,not been said if tho Tine is turned down. Let us fight the Government or the opposition of, any other party so’ that tee may; obtaiu our line.” TACT ADVOCATED Air H. D. deLautour, Reform, nominee for the Gisboriie seat, opened by paying a great tribute to tho Afayoris .activity in tlie matter. He was in entire disagreement with the previous speakers, but tact and diplomacy must hq used .and he would urge the delegation to adopt this plan of action at -AVellington. A voice: “Give us your, definition of tact?” Air deLautour: “AVlia,t .you arc entirely deficient in.” The -speaker went on to_ say tliat great stress should he laid on the point that • the work was the Gis-borne-Nap-ier line. Tho Government had- authorised r tbe continuation of the line_from Napier to AVairoa, but what good was- tliat? . Tlie loss in value sustained, by stock walking to Nap ter was terrific. All must he united in tins aim. He was not ’there for Reform in the matter, but he unis there .with them all, with Mr Coleman, with Air Lysnar. The line must not die. DEPUTATION’S THANKS

Air C- H. AVilliams, vi member of tlie delegation to visit AVellington, expressed warm, thanks for the ,-assisfanee given the delegation by the attitude made very .apparent at the meeting. They would leave for Wellington with the comfortable feeling that .all the district was behind them and this thought would -gh’-e them a .greater feeling of power in tlieir mission. They might fail to gain all desired, but‘could assure them that every member of the deputation would do his mtmost. “T would like to be able, to pay for all of yoti to come ydown with ns to AVellington by service ear”, added Air AVilliams amid laughter. WORKERS’ STANDPOINT Air Jennings, one of the workers engaged on the construction of the railway, said that he had travelled about 3000 miles over tlie Dominion and was quite convinced that no distinct more deserved a. -line. He had seen tlie country through which- the line, to Tauniai’iinui was constructed and if it was "considered worth while to build that line then the Poverty Bay flats must certainly deserve stiil greater consideration. “I must tell you”, .’lie added, “something of how the workers have been treated by what I term a despicable Government, Tlie men, after working hard for a long time for small vlages, left with their wives and famines for their Christinas holidays, believing that they had jobs to come hack to. HLi’dly aye they away when, on picking up the paper, they -see that the Government has stopped tho line. They have three days’ pdv owing to them, in .some cases more, hut iii order- to collect tlie money they must pay their fare all the way back to Gisborne, either leaving their families behind them or paying their fares also. Is it fair to tho construction workers?” RESOLUTION CARRIED UNANL AIOUSLY 'Pile resolution was then put to the meeting and .carried unanimously fry a show of hands. Tlie Alayor also .expressed the delegation’s thanks for the splendid hearing given the speakers and for the .warm-hearted support given them.

On tlte motion of Air Trafford, a vote of ’thanks was ptessed to the Alayor for presiding.