REFORM CLAIM ABOUT STEAMER SERVICE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 17 June 1929, Page 7

REFORM CLAIM ABOUT STEAMER SERVICE.

SIR JOSEPH WARD LOOKS UP FILES PIGEONHOLED FOE SIX MONTHS, WELLINGTON, Last Night. In referring to a statement made by the Hon. ,L G. Coates at a luncheon given by Keform supporters in Invercargill on Thursday last, that the Reform government had taken the initiative in establishing the Bluff to Melbourne steamer service, the Hon. P. A. de la Pe.rrelle on Friday telegraphed to the Prime Minister concerning the statement and on Saturday afternoon, received the following reply from Sir Joseph: “In replying to your telegram regarding the Bluff M elbourne service, no definite assurance to institute a South Island service with Australia was ever given publicity or otherwise by the previous government. I have looked up the files, which show that Cabinet decided on September 8 last to leave the matter in abeyance for six months and in November, the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce asked the then Prime Minister to receive a deputation from various public bodies in regard to the matter. This letter was acknowledged on December 4 by Mr. Coates, to the effect that there had been no opportunity, owing to extreme pressure, to arrange an appointment and that owing to changed circumstances presumably the result of the elections) the matter would be held over in the meantime. ’ ’