FILLING THE GAP

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 8 August 1928, Page 9

FILLING THE GAP

PROGRESS LEAGUE ACTIVE i DEPUTATION TO -MINISTERS I r | A special meeting of the Nelson Pro-1 vinciaX Progress League was held yes-; tenia y afternoon to consider the question of sending ti deputation to Wellington to interview the Prime Minister (the lion. J. U. Coates) and the Minister of Public Works (the lion. K. S. Williams). There were present: Messrs A. Gould (president), F. G. Gibbs, .1. Colder, G. Macmnhon, F. W. 0. Smith, J. Hunt, G. Munson, T. Neale, W. .1. Mof'fatt, and E. 11. Thomson. Mr Duncan was excused from attendance; whi!6 Dr. Gibbs is absent from Nelson.

The president said the matter to bo discussed was of vital importance to Nelson—that of “filling the gap.” The president welcomed Mr Manson, representing the A. and P. Association,' who took his seat for the first time. It was also announced that Mr F. C. Page had been appointed to represent the Farmers’ Union on the League. Last week Mr H. Atmore, M.P., wired to the secretary stating that, in conjunction with Mr R. P. Hudson, M.P., lie was arranging a deputation of members interested in “filling the gap” to interview the Minister of Public Works, and inviting representatives of the League to he present, or offering to arrange a further deputation at a later date if more convenient to the League. As the result of * further telegrams passing between, the League and Mr Atmore, it was agreed that one deputation, representative of members of Parliament. and the League should inter-, view the Minister at a date to he at'-; ranged. The telegrams containing the forego? ing information were read.

BIG DEPUTATION URGED Mr Gibbs said there was no doubt that a big deputation should go. He moved that a deputation go to Wellington next week. Last year it had been intimated that the work would stop this year; and lie understood there were indications now that it Would shortly stop. Once there was a stoppage there was no knowing when it/would start again; and it was therefore of vital importance that a strong deputation should be sent to interview the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Works.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Colder said he would like to see every local body in the province represented, and also every business firm. Mr J, Hunt supported the resolution. He recalled that .on one occasion a deputation numbering 45 waited on the Minister.

In reply to Mr T. Neale, the president t said it was contemplated that members of Parliament should join the deputation. He agreed with Mr Corder that representatives of business firms should be asked to join the deputation. “MUST KEEP ON HAMMERING” Mr Smith said that although progress had been slow on the line, there was some comfort in the fact that the work had. never actually stopped, except during the war. The only thing to do was to keep on hammering at the Ministers. He agreed with other speakers regarding local bodies and business firms being represented. POLITICS AND THE LEAGUE Mi’ Moffatt said, that in the past the League had been more or less guided by their'Members of Parliament as to what they should say and not say regarding deputations to Wellington. He thought the time had come when the League should face the position and use every means in its -power to have the line linked up. It was not the fault of the League that the line cost £30,000 a mile to construct, but the fault of the methods employed. He understood any amount of “ginger” vfas being put into the new RotOrua-Taupo line. The position Nelson had got into .was so bad, that he wondered if a deputation could achieve anything. He urged that every advantage should he taken of any possible political position that might- arise to push on Nelson’s claims. It was time the gloves were taken off. He would like to know what “pull” the Taupo people had; while Nelson always had to take a back seat. Mr Gibbs, while pleased to hear Mr Moffatt’s remarks asked whether it was not a fact that the League was a nonparty organisation? The president said that this was so. Mr Macmahon said that the “gap” as a. connecting link between the railway system, should be proceeded with as quickly as possible. NELSON’S RIGHT BY, INHERE „ TANCE Some discussion arose as to the financial side of the deputation. The opinion was expressed by some members that those going should pay their own expenses ; while ,one member was of opinion that the local Jodies represented should pay their delegates’ expenses. In further discussion Mr T. Neale said that to sit meant no hope; to fight on meant there was some hope. The railway was Nelson’s right by inheritance and by promise. Mr Manson agreed that it was Nelson’s right to link up the railway; otherwise Nelson would become a backwash and have only its sunshine to offer anyone.

Mr Thomson, president of the Chamber of Commerce, thought that the business section of the community generally would combine with the deputation. The' motion was then put and carried. A sub-committee consisting of the president; vice-president, Mr Thomson, and the secretary was appointed to arrange for the deputation and for the spokesmen. ■ , On the motion of Mr Moffatt, seconded by Mr Macmahon it was resolved to urge on the Government to complete the line to Inangalnia- within five years. The meeting then adjourned.