MARLBOROUGH’S CHAMPION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 241, 12 October 1931, Page 8

MARLBOROUGH’S CHAMPION

MR. HEALEY'3 RETURN. CHEERS AND A BANID. [ Per Pres* A* sedation. J BLENHEIM, Oct. 9. Mr. Healey. M.P-, arrived from Parliament this evening and had an extraordinary reception in recognition of iis gallant but fruitless fight for the 3outh Main Trunk Line. A squadron *f aeroplanes escorted thu Tamahine up :he Sounds from Tory Channel. At Blenheim the member was welcomed with cheers, and, headed by the Pipe Band, was escorted through cheering streets to the Town Hall where he addressed a packed meeting, detailing the events in the House. He asserted that, but for the last minute application of the Party Whips, he was assured of a majority of four in favour of the line. One North Island member had practically to be dragged from the Chamber to vote against the line, and others did so full of regret. Mr. Healey read a telegram from the X . Hon. Mr. Forbes, sympathising with Marlborough in that the financial situation had necessitated the stoppage of the work and expressing the hope that, with the return to prosperity, the whole position of railway construction could be reviewed. Mr. Healey declared that it was a different thing from what Mr. Forbes had done in endorsing the board 7 ! report. He asked the meeting’s approval of a proposal that for the remainder of the session he should vote jn the House as he thought best in the interests of the Dominion, and should further review his political position before the next session. The meeting signified approval with cheers. Mr. S. Healey said he had been betrayed by members of his own party and his own leader, but would fight on. ‘'Such a cause as the South Main Trunk must prevail in spite of party and H spite of everything," he concluded amidst cheers. Ho leaves to-morrow on a tour of the vholc electorate.