WESTLAND'S NEEDS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVII, Issue LXXVII, 6 June 1919, Page 5

WESTLAND'S NEEDS

DISCUSSION BY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

COLL^LmiOX OF OTIRA TUNNEL URGED.

TIMBER REGULATIONS CRITICISED.

(BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) HOKITIKA, June o.

Ihe Westland ChamlKji- of Commerce discussed matters relating to the prosecution of the Otira Tunnel vvork s more rapidly last night. The Hon. Messrs bnmmond and Michell and Mr T E fcksddon, ALP., were among those 'pr&sent, taking an active part in the discussion. Several resolutions were carried, including the following: Bringing: under notice of the Minister of Public Works an improvement in the conditions pay and housing at the works! to attract additional suitable labor to expedite completion; that the Minister! be asked to publish forthwith what electrical scheme has been decided upon and that the installation, of necessary electrical works be commenced forthwith; that the Minister be asked to publish monthly the number of men employed on the works, the average wages earned, and progress made with the undertaking. ,^ n. th« course of his remarks Hon Mr Michell stated that lie had reliable auAi tluu- s Pass end working on co-oper-ative contract, had earned less than £39 tor the month of M,ay. * Z he «Pinion, was expressed that efforts should be made to attract discharged members of the Tunnelling Corps to take up contracts at remunejt ative rates and assist in pushing the work to completion. I t was stated that no less than £1000 a week was the liability, and interest on the 00S+ of the work at present lying unproductive, owing to the incoinpletkm of the line The Government was urged, in accordance with the report of delegates who recently visited the works, to employ fully an additional 100 men to complete the work within two years, which was Half ihe estimate, of time required to complete it at the present rate of pro-] gross with the men available. Tho Chamber also considered the harmful effect on Westland of the fmber regulations and the locking up of over. 90,000 acres of timber ifnds 2 P^Z^° nilLßt^ c forests- harmful effect on the district of the locking up or land by the Midland reservation was recalled as an example of the injury that would be done to the district A sub-committee was set np to go into the matter and report to a subsequent meet-