S.I. MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY

Kaikoura Star, Volume LVI, Issue 95, 3 December 1936, Page 2

S.I. MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY

INSPECTION BY HON R. SEMPLE 'l'he Hon. R. Semple, Minister for Public Works, accompanied by Messrs E. P. Meachen, M.P., J. Wood, Chief Engineer, and D. Grover, private secretary’ to the Minister, left Blenheim at 9 o’clock on Monday morning for Kaikoura, on an inspection of the South Island Main Trunk line, to note the progress of the work of construction. Mr Semple addressed a meeting of settlers at Ward, xvhere the party was the guests of the Flaxbourne Settlers’ Association. Opportunity was taken by the settlers to express their appreciation of the Government’s decision to resume constructional operations and to complete the line. The Minister also addressed the men at Blue Slip and Aniseed, and arrived in Kaikoura at 5.30 p.m, 'l'he party was entertained at ‘‘Woodbank” by Mr and Mrs A. J. Murray. AT KAIKOURA MINISTER ENTERTAINED BY' LOCAL BRANCH OF LABOUR PARTY The Minister was met at Kaikoura by' Mr I>. Manson, President of the local branch of the New Zealand Labour Party, members of the Social Committee, and the executive. In the evening a dance was held in the Drill Hall under the supervision of the Social Committee of the Labour Party’ and, notwithstanding the boisterous weather and the fact that rivers and streams were flooded, over 290 asst mbled and danced to excellent music supplied by Mrs W. D. Sabis-

ton ’s orchestra. Extras wore played by Aliss K. Smith and Mr A. Poppixvell. Mr Frank Smith xvas master of ceremonies. Supper xvas handed round and dancing continued until “lights out.” Mr Manson, in welcoming the Minister, apologised for the absence of Mr E. P. Meachen. M.P., who had been called to (’hristchurch owing to the death of his father, anil expressed sympathy with him in his bereavement. He said he felt it a privilege to introduce Air Semple to those present, and it was

also a privilege to have a Minister of the Crown in their midst, as it was many years since a Afinister had come amongst them. Air Semple, said the speaker, was a worthy upholder of the Labour Party, and a staunch supporter of all that Labour stood for—a worker in the cause of humanity and an uplifter for the good of the people. Air Alanson took his hearers back to the days of the Reform and Coalition parties, and referred to the search being made for a leader of the National Party. The people had come from near and far to be present that evening, ami it was a credit to their staunchness in coming out on such a cold and wet night to accord such a wonderful reception to Mr Semple. Ho had pleasure in extending a welcome to the Minister. (Applause). Mr Semple expressed thanks to Air Manson and those present for their warm and sincere welcome. He had visited Kaikoura once previously when he had come along to inspect the line with a view to deciding whether the line should bo completed, and had promised that ho would conic again as soon as possible. This time he had come along to sec what progress had been made now that the work had been put in hand. He assured his hearers that whatever the Government could do to assist the progress of the district, it would be done cheerfully. The Government was there for the welfare ami well-being of all the people of New Zealand. A year and three days ago, said Air Semple, a crash had taken place ami the destinies of the country had been placed in the hands of the Labour Party. He believed if their political enemies were called upon to speak the truth they would say that the Labour Party had saved the country from being wrecked and placed it on a sound footing again.

There were difficulties to he surmounted, stated Air Semple, ami the Government was working night and day to solve the many problems. They were fully conversant of the responsibilities thrust upon them, but after making full investigation, sifting the various problems, and studying cause and effect, they had proceeded to apply the remedy ami were satisfied that with determination and perseverence nothing could prevent the Labour Government from succeeding.

Leaving party politics and external problems for a moment, the Minister said the problems confronting them were not, new—they had been with them right through the centuries, through the corridors of time. There had always been trail blazers, torchcarriers, investigators, and philosophers living to lead the human family along the nairow path—a path .strewn with difficulties and hardships. These men had very often been persecuted, misunderstood, and crucified; but they had possessed unconquerable souls ami had carried on, taking now courage and blazing ahead, until to-day we were enjoying a measure of freedom, thanks to their w*ork. They sleep the great sleep, and wo owe them a debt of gratitude that cannot fade from our memories. These men had faced the gallows ami dungeons for us. There is now to be no faltering, slipping to the left or light; the slogan must be “Right Ahead” in the centre of the road. If we contribute our quota as the martyrs of the past had done, the lot of our kiddies will be improved, they will be able to face the barriers, live to know they had played the game. All we could do was to endeavour to make the country better for those who are to follow, by faithful service. That’s all. New Zealand can be made a better, happier, and safer place by contributing our quota for those to come. He had played his part in the struggles and trials of the past, and had often asked himself was it worth while. He had worked for the uplifting of the people, and had even gone to gaol. He had been called upon to find £2OOO bail—that is £l5OO more than they had put on the head of Ned Kelly. They had let him out of prison to look in and put him in to look out. He had given much thought to the Labour cause while there. “It was a long journey from the cell to Cabinet rank, but there was the position.” He had committed no crime—he hail just been fighting for the men and women who were down-and-out during those tragic days. Now he was in ami his persecutors were out. To the young folk he said: “If you get the knock, do not take the count. If you make up your mind that a thing is right, keep on plodding and you’ll get there one day. It is easy to die, but often hard to live, but keep on; bore your way through.” Labour had bored its way through the. many difficulties and hardships and had won.

Mr Semple said the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Al. J. Savage, and his Cabinet Alinistcrs would never betray the trust reposed in them. When their Parliamentary term was up they would be able to look the people in tne face and say they had played the game anil had fulfilled their obligations. They had their mission to fulfil, duties to perform, services to render, and they were going to do as their minds and intelligence permitted them to do at their own time ami in their own way. The Afinister said he was pleased to come to Kaikoura and see the men working ami getting their just reward —building the line, carrying their own epitaph, and not waiting round the corner for cast off clothes. The Labour Government could take credit for this. If the men played the game they would find him their true friend; if not they would find him a hard man. That’s all. Mr Semple paid a tribute to his engineers, saying they had done well without material. At present, as Aliiiister for Public. Works, he was spending ten and a half millions per annum, and as the peoples’ representative he had to see that his engineers got value tor that money. The engineers had done rcmankably well with the material at their disposal and had given him 100 per cent, loyalty. Air J. Woods. Chief Engineer, had pulled his weight all the time, and the people of New Zealand were proud of their engineers. Mr Semple said he and the staff had got along wonderfully, ami

the men were doing well. He had never met a happier lot of men, ami they had expressed thanks that they had a Labour Government in power. Air Semple said he would like to say on behalf of the Prime Afinister that although they could remain in Parliament for three more years, they only intended to stay two, and legislation would bo enacted to that effect. The Government would then bring its policy before the people to pass judgment, and he hoped they would have the. privilege of hearing the electors say: “Well done, thou good and faithful servants; go back ami step on it again.” Co-operation, goodwill, hearts beating in unison, then they could get somewhere, and. as the late Dick Seddon had said: “Make New Zealand God’s own country—giving to all God’s own gifts—that’s all.” Work together, vote together, and make New Zealand the pansy garden of the civilised world Air Semple was heartily applauded when he resumed his seat. Mr Afanson thanked the Afinister for his interesting address, ami three cheers were given for him and anothei for the Primo Afinister. “Auld Lang Syne” was then sung and an enthusiastic gathering brought to an end. AT OARO CAMP At Oaro camp on Tuesday morning, Air ■ E. P. Meachen, ALP., introduced the Hon. R. Semple, the Hon. G. R. Hunter (member of the Legislative Council), and Mr J Wood (Chief Engineer) to about 120 men, Mr Semple delivering a brief address and was accorded three hearty cheers. Air Semple thanked Air Aiea ch en for introducing him to those present. As the weather was bad he did not intend to detain them long. He had come along to see what was being done and to ascertain if the men were contented. Ho reminded the men that if the accommodation was not up to the standard wished it was not the fault of the engineers, but his, as he had been eager to call up all the men possible' to avoid semi-starvation in the towns and villages. He would rather rough it than stand around the towns scrounging for old clothes. But he had discovered that there was no material available, stocks had vanished and had not been replaced owing to the depression. That was the true reason why they were not getting along with the accommodation as fast as they could prefer. When material was available the accommodation to be provided would leave nothing to be desired. The job had been a difficult one, following on an empty exchequer and depleted stocks. The Government hail to think a way out of the difficulty and prepare legislation to overcome the problems. This would not. be done in 21 hours, but the task had been tackled. The scrounger said: “What the h is the Labour Party doing?” Thon from the top—the daily papers and bankers: “They arc going hell for leather, wrecking the country! ” Mr Semple said the Labour Party was playing its own hand, in its. own way, and was going straight ahead. If anyone got in the way they would run the steam roller over them. TJic Government was going to do the job. It would take its own time and do it in its own way. There had been 11,000 men steeped in misery, without gear—except wheelbarrows and longhandled shovels—employed by the Public. Works Department. They had a Railway Board with powers above Parliament. Legislation had been repealed and the Board members had been given the. “running shoos.” Now they had 19,000 men of the public works, earning an average of 19/7 per day in a 40-hour week. This was the first time

in history that a 40-hour week had been instituted. H was costing ten and a half millions per annum for public works. Men who had worked for the department were given 14 days’ holiday and those who had seen a year’s service seven days’ holiday per year. If it were possible to give holidays to the engine drivers, then it was only reasonable that holidays should be given to those who were engaged in constructing the lino and using the machinery. However, he reminded the men, that he expected service. If they did not give service they would find him a snorter. No man wanted twopence for nothing from the people of New Zealand. “Do you want them here.”’ asked the Minister, and those present answered as in one voice, “No!” He did not want to see the mon using their time after 40 hours work playing “two-up,” or boozing to excess. He was doing his best for the men and they could put any legitimate claim before him, and their grievances would be rectified, and they would al! be made as comfortable as possible in the camps. The Minister said that the results achieved so far proved that the average New Zealander would make good at any calling, if given a reasonable chance—a thing he had said on many occasions. “But one thing I have to remedy was that construction camps were full of malingerers and imposters whose presence had a bad effect on decent men,” he said, “and I think 1 have got to the stage now where that sort of thing is as extinct as the moa. The people of New Zealand know that I have no time for the man who will not render service when ho gets the chance. That sort of man has no claim on me or on the country. He is a humbug and a parasite and he has no place among decent men—that’s all.” He was constantly informed of the progress that was being made on the public works all over the country and on the information to date he had every reason to be pleased. He had been more than satisfied with the results achieved on the work in the northern districts that ho had inspected and from what he had hoard of the South Main Trunk work ho was sure that he would have little fault to find. “There’s one thing I would like to say, and that is that I have had the greatest help from the chief engineer of the department, Mr Wood, and I have been greatly assisted by my first, lieutenant, Air Afeachen. I have always found that 1 can rely upon his judgment, and his services have loon of great help, nol only in this district, hut in the others where I have sent him to make reports to me.” Mr H. T. Foote, on behalf of the men. assured the Minister of their loyalty, and said they had no communists with them. Afinor matters were adjusted by the section of the Labour Party, but major questions would be brought before the authorities. As the representative of over 100 men on the job, ho assured the Minister they were grateful for what the Minister had done, and on the achievements accomplished. They were in complete agreement with the policy of the Government, but there were little difficulties which arose in the matter of administration. However, they appreciated what the Government had done for the men. He concluded by thanking the Alinistcr for his address. Three cheers w r ere given for the Afinister and party. The journey was then continued to Conway, where Mr Semple delivered an address to the Claverley and Conway section of the workers.