WHICH LIME FIRST?

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16797, 22 July 1920, Page 4

WHICH LIME FIRST?

POLITICIANS DIFFER. SPLIT IN CANTERBURY RANKS. A split in the ranks of the Canterbury Members of Paliament Comnni tec developed while the committee was waiting as a deputation .upon,the Hon. J. G. Obate; (ALuistcr of Public Works) last Thursday.' Mr. T. D. Burnett (Torauka) urged tho completion of the Buller Gorge railway. ■ Mr. Coates; Would you put that lv;foro the .South Island Alain Trunk railway?' Air. Burnett; Yes! Speaking trom a South Canterbury—from a. Canterbury —point of vie w.Wl would say that, in order to get fuller supplies of coai, the completion of the Blillor Gorge_ lino should be put before any other railway work in the South 'lsland. Mr. L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North,;; Before the Arthur’s Pass'tun cel? Air. Burnett; Oh. no! That is part of the same scheme for tapping the coal supplies. Then Air. G. Forbes (Hufunui) took a band in the discussion. “I don’t know that I would like it to be understood,” ho said, ‘‘that the ctmmittco places tho Bailor Gorge railway before tlie"South Island Alain Trunk line. That is Mr. Burnett’s own opinion, not the. opinion of tbs Canterbury members of Parliament. I represent the district through’ which the 'other line runs. (Laughter). J don’t like to sec ;• small lynnch railway such as that at Duller being placed before the South Island Alain Trunk line,” Air. Burnett:. This is not. a branch lino. It is the main line to Westport. Were you, Air. Forbes, at the meeting of the-Canterbury Members of Parliament Committee, held the other day? Air Forbes; No! I was away. Air. Burnett; Well, it was decided

by a practically unanimous vote, that the Canterbury members’ opinion was that the Duller Gorge railway should take precedence. Air. Isitt; No! No! We absolutely refused to do that! You are making a mistake, Air. Burnett. Air. E, J. Howard (Christchurch South): Well, 1 certainly made the same mistake. 1 thought tho order agreed upon,wan. Arthur’s Pass tunnel, Buller, Marlborough. The Minister was quietly enjoying this little difference of opinion, but he could not afford to be delayed while bon. members fought the matter out. “I understand,” he said. “There must

bo these differences of pinion It is the same everywhere.." Mr. D. G. Sujlivan (Avon), as recreI tr.ry of the Canterbury Members .of \ Parliament Committee, said that the 1 decision had been to support both lines.