SOUTH ISLAND MOTOR UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3994, 30 September 1930, Page 67

SOUTH ISLAND MOTOR UNION.

ANNUAL MEETING.

CHRISTCHURCH, September 26.

At the annual meeting of the South Island Motor Union to-day Mr F. W. Johnston, of Christchurch, as elected president.

A motion was carried protesting against the Government’s action in regard to repairing the West Coast roads. The union protested again against the action of the Government in charging the whole cosi of restoring the West Coast roads damaged by earthquake against the South Island account of the Main Highways Fund. The president (Mr A. E. Ansell, M.P.) said he had had a verbal promise from the Acting Prime Minister (Mr E. A. Ransom), ex-Minister of Public Works, that the Government would bear part of the cost. Mr Ransom had then been unable to say what proportion the Government would bear, is the amount of damage had not then been assessed. “He also told me,” said Mr Ansell, “ that he had discussed the position with the Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes), acquainting him of the promise made, yet Mr Forbes had said in the House that he personally had made no promise. That was merely side-track-ing, because he knew Mr Ransom’s attitude.” The meeting decided to request the Government to honour the promise made by a responsible Minister.