RIVAL CLAIMS

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 166, 16 July 1920, Page 5

RIVAL CLAIMS

A DEPUTATION

[from our correspondent.i Wellington) July 15. Rival claims for public works created an amusing interlude at the Canterbury deputation to the Minister for Works to-day. There was every indication of unanimity among the speakers until the question of completion of the Buller Gorge railway came up. .

Mr Burnett, speaking for South Canterbury in particular, declared that nonrcompletion of this important line, which.would tap fresh sources of coal, was a public scandal.

"Do you put it, beyond the South Island Main Trunk Line?" asked the Hon. Mr Coates.

Mr Burnett: "Yes; in order to give ample supplies of coal it should take precedent. This, of course, includes completion of the Otira Tunnel, because we must rely on coal until full supplies of electric power are available."

Mr Forbes took an early opportunity of correcting, as he put it, a wrong impression created by Mr Burnett that the Inangahua line must be put before completion bf the Main Trunk "This," he said, "is not the policy of the Canterbury Members' Association. I repreisent the district through which the railway runs. (Laughter.^ We cannot have a small branch line put before a. great national railway like the South Island Main Trunk."

Mr Burnett: "Were you at the meeting of Canterbury members?"

Mr Forbes: "No; I was away from Wellington."

Mr Burnett: "It was passed by practically a unanimous vote that the Buller Gorge railway should take precedence." The Deputation: "No, no!" Mr Isitt: "We absolutely refused to do that."

Mr Howard: "Then I made the same mistake. I thought that it was the Otira tunnel, the Buller Gorge line, Lake Coleridge, and Marlborough." Mr Forbes: "Oh, it was second a while ago. Now it is third." (Liugbter.) Mr Sullivan (secretary of the committee): "I think I can clear it up. The definite policy of the committee is to support both lines."