CANTERBURY MEMBERS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16260, 29 October 1920, Page 8

CANTERBURY MEMBERS

WAIT fl;i PREMIER. WORKS TO BE SPEEDED UP. HEW BRIGHTON’S NEEDS. (Special to the. "Star.”) WELLINGTON, October 29. Canterbury members of Parliament, waited on the Prime Minister and tho Minister of Public A\orks this morning on matters connected with public works expenditure. Those present were Messrs /\\it.ty, M’Combs, Howard, Sullivan, Forbes, Jones and Burnett. _ Mr Witty explained that tho deputation was not ho anxious to take exception to the large amount proposed to bo spent north of Auckland as to urge tIM those works in Canterbury for which money was voted should be speeded up. The only new money tho deputation was asking for was a sum to assist the people of New l Brighton to erect a protective esplanade. Tho Prime Minister said the Government was alive to the need for completing the Otira tunnel, and would supply ns much money and energy as Avas needed to get the work finished. After that it «mild turn its attention to other Canterbury Requirements. Tho Hon .1. G. Contes asked the deputation whether it attached greater importance, in the matter of speed of completion, to the Lyttelton tunnel oi the Bliller Gorge raihvny Tho deputation limited in favour of Urn Lyttelton tunnel, and the Riley scheme in general Mr Wit tv asked what about AH Sullivan’s ” little ewe lamb” subsidy for New Brighton Mr Coates: " T don’t think you ought to press me for that while Vo have farmers up to the’V knees in mud for want of decent roads.” Air Sullivan: “ Yes, hut the protection of human life is\even more imnor tant, and the esplanade at New Brigh ton will serve that purpose ” Air Coates: " Well, if that is really the position it is n different matter.” In coneh’sion Mr Mnssev pave a. pen-i-rnl nrnmise that Canterbury' works a;nuld be speeded np as quickly as possible.