MATTER LEFT IN ABEYANCE FOR 6 MONTHS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18787, 17 June 1929, Page 16

MATTER LEFT IN ABEYANCE FOR 6 MONTHS.

BLUFF-MELBOURNE SERVICE NOT BEGUN BY REFORM, SAYS PREMIER. Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL. June 16. Referring to the statement made by the Right Hon J. G. Coates at the luncheon given by Reform supporters in Invercargill on Thursday last that the Reform Government had taken the initiative for a Bluff-Melbourne steamer service, the Hon P A. de la Perrelle on Friday telegraphed to the Prime Minister concerning the statement, and on Saturday afternoon received the following reply from Sir Joseph Ward:— “ Replying to your telegram re 6luff Melbourne service: No definite assurance to institute a South Island service with Australia was ever given publicly or otherwise by the previous Government. I have looked up files, which show that Cabinet decided on September 8 last to leave the matter in abey ance for six months, and in November the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce asked the then Prime Minister to re ceive a deputation from various public bodies in regard to the matter. This letter was acknowledged on December 4 by Mr Coates, to the effect that there had been no opportunity owing to extreme pressure to arrange an appointment, and that, owing to changed circumstances (presumably the result of the elections), the matter would be held over in the meantime.”