CAPITAL SHIPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17771, 1 November 1919, Page 9

CAPITAL SHIPS

HOW THE NATIONS STAND. Proa* Auociation—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, October 29. (Received Nov. 1, at 1.25 a.m.) In the House of Commons, answering Mr Curzon, Mr Long stated that the capital ships in full commission were as follow : —United States, 28; France, possibly 6; Japan, 16 j Italy, 7; Britain, 18.— Times.

SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK LINE. BLENHEIM RESOLUTION OF PROTEST. "VOTE MISERABLY INADEQUATE." Tho Advance Marlborough Committee of the Chamber of Commerce met on Saturday morning to consider what action be taken in regard to the vote of £15,000 allotted by the Minister of Public Works in his Estimates to the South Island Main Trunk line.

Tho utter inadequacy of the vote was condemned (says the correspondent of the Christchurch Press), and the opinion was expressed by several speakers " that the Minister had displayed a. lamentable lack of busineso acumen in -reverting to tho pernicious doles system which has characterised tho railway construction policy of the department for many years, to the detriment of the country." It was held that at least £100,000 should bo, spent straight away in an up-to-dato railroad-making- plant, with which to replace the wheelbarrow and other relics of the _ wooden ago. . Tho following resolution was passed, and was subsequently telegraphed to Sir William Fraser:—"At a meeting, of the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce this morning, it was decided to forward an emphatic protest against the miserably inadequate amount placed on the Estimates for the South Island Main . Trunk »railway, more especially in view of the fact that an assurance waa given by yourself to the deputation which waited on you last month that a substantial amount would be provided, and in view also of Mr Massey's statement that' no other policy than a vigorous policy of development could bo entertained by the ' Government. In our opinion a vote of £15,000 is worse than useless, as. it would require a far greater amount to restore the neglected parts of the lino and to g>et suitable machinery on to the ground. Wo are asking all local bodies and the public to demand that the expenditure on the Main Trunk line bo in keeping with its national importance." ■ It. was decided to send copies of the resolution to the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, and Messrs R. M'Callum and G. W. Forbas, M.P.'s.