RIVAL CLAIMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20000, 16 July 1920, Page 2

RIVAL CLAIMS.

—♦— A DEPUTATION .INTERLUDE. [Froii Orm Corkesfo.ndk»vt.] WELLINGTON, July 16. Rival claims Tor public works created flit amusing interlude at the Canter* deputation to the Minister of Public Works to-day. There was overy indication of unanimity among the speakers until tho question of the completion of the Buller Gorge railway arose. Mr ' Burnett, speaking for Sduth Canterbury in particular, declared that the non-completion of this important line, tapping fresh sources of coal, was a public scandal. “Do yon put it before the South Island Main Trunk?” asked the Hon J. G. Coates. Mr Burnett; Yes. In order to give ample Supplies of coal it shbuM take precedence. This, of course, includes the completion of tho Otira. tunnel, because wc must rely on coal until full • supplies of electric power arc availMr Forbes took an cai‘ly opportunity of correcting, as be put it, a. wrong impression created by Mr Burnett" that the Inangabua lino must be put before the completion of the Main Trunk. ‘‘This,” he said, “is not the policy of the Canterbury Members’ Association. I represent the district through which the. railway run*. (Laughter). W6 cannot have i small branch lino put before a. great national railway like the .South Island Main Trunk.” . Mr Burnett: Were you at the meeting of Canterbury members? _Mr Forbes: No*. I was awav from Wellington. Mr Burnett: It was passed by a practically unanimous veto that. ’ tho buller Gorge miway should take precedence. The deputation: No, no, Mr Isitt; We absolutely refused in do that. ■ Mr Howard:. Then I made the same mistake. 1 thought it was t'.m Otira tunuel and Buller Gorge line, Coleridge and" Marlborough. Mr Forbes: Oh, it was second a while ago. Now it is third. (Laugiitci'. Mr Sullivan: As secretary of Hi* committee, I can dear it up.' The finite policy of tho committee is to support both lines.