ACCESS TO SEA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23110, 9 February 1937, Page 11

ACCESS TO SEA

A LONG-STANDING DISPUTE MR SEMPLE DEFINES ATTITUDE / (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH. Feb. 8. A definite statement of his present attitude to a long-standing dispute in Christchurch about improved access to Hie sea was made by the Minister of Public Works (Mr R. Semple) to-day. One group in Christchurch wants a tunnel road through the hill to Lyttelton. and another wants a port in (he estuary at Sumner. “ Until we know what the people of Canterbury want, we can do nothing about access for the city of Christchurch to the sea,” said Mr Semple. “ If the people wish, our engineers will consider the feasibility of any reasonable proposal, but we do not want to be drawn into an argument.” Mr Semple said it was a great pity that so much argument had arisen over the problem. He definitely could not take sides. His duty was to investigate any proposal made by the community, but it was so far not possible to tell what the community wanted. He had thought a referendum might be taken, but he agreed that there were difficulties in the way. Any further move lay with the people of Christchurch, Mr Semple said. If they wanted any one scheme they must make it clear to him that the majorit: agreed on that scheme. His depart ment would investigate any reasonable demand from the people, but he simply would not take sides in an argument