MINISTERS' TOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22470, 14 July 1936, Page 11

MINISTERS' TOUR

BLENHEIM EN FETE SOUTH ISLAND RAILWAY RAPID COMPLETION PROMISED USE OF MODERN MACHINERY [by TKLEGRAPH—OWX COHHkspondent] BLENHEIM, Monday Music by two bands in streets illuminated with coloured lights and decorated with greenery, flags and banners emblazoning messages of welcome, formed the background of the reception accorded to the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, and the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb, who attended celebrations tonight to mark the Government's decision to recommence work on the South Island main trunk railway. The Ministerial party arrived from Wellington in the afternoon by aeroplane and were met by leading citizens, later being entertained at a local body dinner and a citizens' ball. Mr. Semple complained of a relapse of influenza contracted in Auckland .a few days ago and retired to bed soon after his arrival, but he attended the dinner and also made a brief appearance at the ball. Several speakers at the dinner and at the civic reception accorded the party before the ball expressed the district's appreciation of the Government's decision to recommence work on the line and outlined the many disappointments the district had had in the past. One speaker said that its history was one of broken promises and failure. The general hope was also expressed that work would not stop again until the line had been completed. No Pick and Shovel Methods Mr. Semple, speaking at the dinner, said the people could take it from him that unless all the Cabinet died in the meantime there would bo no stoppage. The Government had considered the line from all aspects, including its maintenance, development, value and desirability of connecting Marlborough and Canterbury for the carriage of passengers ami stock. It might bo slow in starting owing to the lack of equipment and difficulty in getting timber for building accommodation for the men, but once started the work would go through as quickly as modern machinery and organisation of men would allow. Machinery worth £.'30,000 would be used, all of the latest typo, and there would be no pick and shovel and wheelbarrow methods. He emphasised the fact that the men would be expected to give a fair return for the increased wages, and said anyone coming on to public works expecting to have a good time was due for a great shock. The Minister referred to what he termed " manifestos " he had received from Communist friends in various parts of the country asking that he should be crucified because he would not stand for wrecking methods and scrounging. " And I will not," he added. " These people will find me one of the toughest birds they have ever struck. New Zealand is in trouble and we are trying to help her out. Some people say we will wreck it in the process, but neither I nor any of my colleagues will be associated for more than five minutes with any policy that is likely to wreck the country." Waste Through Stoppages

Mr. Webb, in his reply, referred to the waste that had been caused through the stoppage of work on the line and the men who had been thrown out of employment just when work was needed badly. He ventured to say that before the life ot Parliament was over the work would have been finished or so nearly so that no Government could stop it, and that in a few years train loads would be travelling by a new form of rail transport, the railcar, between Christchurch and Blenheim. Mr. Webb concluded by stating that when the work 011 tho lino was finished the dream of early settlers would have been fulfilled, and if Mr. Seddon could speak to-day he would say to tho Government, " Well done. You are carrying out a policy I laid down many years ago " The Ministers will leave Blenheim to-morrow for Westport, where they are to take part hi a celebration there in connection with the work on the Inaugahua line.