HAAST PASS ROAD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27380, 4 May 1950, Page 6

HAAST PASS ROAD

Request To Prime Minister PROPOSED SUBMISSIONS An official approach has been made to the Prime Minister, Mr Holland, asking that he should receive a deputation representative of the conference which met at the Fox Glacier last week to hear submissions in favour of the completion of the WestlandOtago highway over the Haast Pass. In the letter sent to the Prime Minister an outline of the deputation’s case is given, the chief submission being “ that the labour already expended and the investment of the Dominion’s funds used to date are rendered abortive and must remain so until the whole work is completed.” Hinging on this submission are the four auxiliary points that the completion of the work would add enormously to' the earning capacity of the Dominion’s tourist attractions; to the development of the timber resources of New Zealand, to increased land settlement, with a consequent increase in the export value of production; and to the extension of communications for defence and general purposes. The deputation has asked that a prior screening of a film prepared by the Canterbury Automobile Association on the South Westland area should be permitted. In the letter sent to the Prime Minister, it is also suggested that “as this national work comes within the scope of the tourist administration, lands, forestry, agriculture, transport, defence, rehabilitation and internal affairs,” arrangements might be made for most or all the members of the Cabinet to be present when the deputation places its case before the Prime Minister. The deputation will comprise Messrs M. S. Myers and L. J. T. Ireland (Dunedin), F. Stewart (Invercargill), F. F. Boustridge (Greymouth), M. Wallace and J. Saunders (Westland).