ONE OBJECTIVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26777, 21 May 1948, Page 4

ONE OBJECTIVE

PROGRESS OF OTAGO ANSWER TO MR CONNOLLY’S COMPLAINT "The Central Otago farming community has no intention of ‘ trailing its coat’ to party politics, whether they be Labour or National,” said Mr L. Barrett, chairman of the joint committee of the Central Otago branches of Federated Farmers which convened the meeting in Alexandra last Friday to urge the inauguration of a railcar service for the district. He was replying to the assertion by Mr P. G. Connolly, M.P., that the meeting was “nothing but a gathering of the National Party,” and to his complaint that none of the local members of Parliament had been invited to attend. Mr Barrett said he had discussed the question with Mr Connolly, who, as a parliamentary representative of a Dunedin constituency and a native of Central Otago as well, was in full accord with the aims of the meeting. It was the wish of both Mr Connolly and hirpself, he said, that, with the co-operation of all Otago interests, there would be found the earliest possible solution of this question of improved rail transport, together with other problems of moment to Central Otago and Dunedin. The sole aim of the farming community represented at the meeting, Mr Barrett said, was the development of the province. Mr Barrett added that a deputation would approach the Minister of Railways, Mr Semple, when next he visited Dunedin. It was hoped to include in this deputation representatives of Labour interests.