FOOD FOR ARTHUR’S PASS

Grey River Argus, 11 May 1923, Page 5

FOOD FOR ARTHUR’S PASS

Member for Westland Slighted FULL FACTS OF THE CASE. According to a special message to the “Greymouth Evening Star,” the Minister of Public Works on Wednesday last wired Mr T. E. Y. Seddon that arrangements would be made to take food supplies for Arthur’s Pass through the Otira Tunnel from Greymouth, and requested those concerned to get in touch with the Engineer-in-. Charge. The “Star” goes on to say that “Mr Seddon communicated with the Engineer this morning, and was informed that a truck with supplies would go through the tunnel three times per week. Goods which left Greymouth by this morning’s express will be sent to Arthur’s Pass to-day.”

Reading the foregoing, it would appear that there was a shortage of food at Arthur’s Pass, and that Mr T. E. Y. Seddon was still member for Westland. It would bo as well for the public to know the true facts of the case: On Wednesday, Mr Seddon received a wire from a storekeeper in Arthur’s Pass, asking that he make arrangements to send a supply of bread and meat three times per week to Arthur’s Pass. Mr Seddon handed the wire to the Mayor of Greymouth. The Mayor (Mr Parfitt), got in touch with Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., on his return from Hokitika on Wednesday evening and discussed the situation. It was thoroughly understood that the wire received by Mr Seddon did not suggest a shortage of food at Arthur’s Pass, but was a wire from a storekeeper, who asked that his supplies be kept up so that he might be able to supply his customers. It was pointed out to Mr O’Brien that Mr Morgan, the Traffic Manager, said he would take charge of the goods being sent to Arthur’s Pass, and that Messrs Y’de and Co. would probably carry the goods over the hill. As this firm carry huge supplies of goods over the Gorge, it was not a great feat for them to carry the small order of one store-keeper from Otira to Arthur’s Pass. However, Messrs O’Brien and Parfitt made an attempt to get in touch with Mr Gillies on Wednesday evening, without success, and finally parted, having decided to leave the matter in the hands of Mr Morgan, the District Traffic Manager. The public should know that only one storekeeper of Arthur’s Pass asked for goods to be sent to him, and there are more than one storekeeper there. Also that he sent, t.o a private individual asking him as a favour to forward goods to him, thereby getting a point on to his opposition, Had there been notification

of a real shortage of food at Arthur's Pass then the Mayor of Greymouth and the Member for Westland would not have rested until a special train conveying supplies was sent through. It is a great pity that some people should try to make political capital out of a. request from one private individual to another and furthermore to make the Member for Westland, who it is generally admitted has done more work for his district in a few months than has been done for years, appear in a bad light. No doubt Mr Coates, Minister of Public Works, has a soft spot in his heart for his defeated colleague, but that should not let him forget that he has a duty to the member for the district, which should not be overlooked.