ARTHUR'S PASS TUNNEL.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16142, 21 February 1918, Page 6

ARTHUR'S PASS TUNNEL.

COUP LET IXG THE IVORS,

THE AGITATION ADVAXCED,

The Arthur's Pass tunnel Completion Committer met in the City Council Chambers last ovening, tho' Mavor of Christchureh 11. Holland) presiding over a representative attendance, though tho only member of Parliament present was M r L. 3f. 1.-itt

Tho chairman suggested tho sotting up of an executive -who could bo got together very quickly to see the Ministei ol Public A\ orks when ho camo to Christchureh. A permanent chairman and a secretary should also bo appointed that ovening. They should also urge every centre in Canterbury and on th«

West Coast to take tho matter up and approach the Government, so that tho force would bo irresistible. 11 0 had received advice from Timaru to say that the people there were iu hearty accord with the objects of the committee. A reply had been received from the Minister to Uio mild resolutions passed by tho conference at Otira, stating that he could not do more than at present in view of the present circumstances. Mr Holland moved: "That a largo public meeting Lh> held to confciuor ttio resolutions passed at the previous meeting, and urge tho Government to carry out the work of completiug the tunnel.'' Mr L. M. lsitt, 31.P., asked whether it would not bo better to hold a series of educative meetings in tho various centres. He held ttio conviction that tho bull; ol' the people ditl not understand tho present position. Tho larger meeting could bo Jield later. Mr H. J. Marrincr urged tho appointment of various sub-committees.

-Mr C. H. Hewlett said he considered that if they started oil immediately with a public meeting it would bo a failure, as very few pcoplo would attend. Tho appointment of sub-commit-tees was nccessary. Mr Geo. Harper urged tho appointment of sub-committees and the advisability of approaching every Minister who passed through Christchureh, especially tho Minister of Public Works;; A public meeting, ho thought, would bo a failure, as two-thirds of the public did not understand the position, and Ministers discounted public meetings. Thoy preferred to listen to straight-out talk from good speakers on deputations. The chairman asked them to exclude all sentiment, he hnd merely proposed tho calling of a public mooting in order to givo matters a start. He was not wedded to this proposal. The only fault ho had to find with tho previous meeting was that there was not quite sufficient enthusiasm. Let them take their coats off.

Mr H. H. Smith said it was no use playing with the thing. They must Jind out if tho Government were willing to accede to their wishes and complete the tunnel in twelve or eighteen months' time, and if they would not, then let them get to work, and by means of meetings, etc., keep on badgering the Government. The calling of a public meeting at this early stage was, lie thought, inadvisable. If they held one and tho hall was only half-full, it would do their cause considerable harm.

Tho chairman said the amount on tho Estimates for the work this year was £60,000, and if there were 120 men employed at £200 a year each, this would account for £24000, so that thero was a large sum of money not accounted for. " Upon the motion of Mr Hewlett tno Mayor of ChristchUrch was appointed permanent chairman of the-oomtaittee. Two nominations wcro received for the position of secretary, but it was decided to leave the appointment to the executive to make. Sir Marriner proposed the appointment of the following committees :—(1) Finance, (2) interviewing Ministers, (3) meetings and speakers, (4) West Coast, to keep in touch with the West Coast people. (5) correspondence and statistics, to collect statistics and keep in touch with the people through the newspapers. Mr Marriner said it was not a question of justice, but political pull. His five years* experience of tho public service had taught him that. Mr Isitt said they must organiso public sentiment in the country; the agitation must not be confined to tho city.

Mr Marriner's suggestion was adopted in « slightly amended form, and the following were appointed to the committees, with power to add to their numbers: — • Finance—Messrs F. M. Warren, H. S. Hobday, W. Reece, A. Kayo, J. O. Jameson, J. J. Dougall, and J. G. Herdman.

Deputations—Meßsrs H. J. Marriner, George Harper, J. J. Dougall, C. H. Hewlett, H. Quanc. W. Goss, G. T. Booth, A. F. Wright, G. S. "White, W. H. Winaor, und L. M. Isitt, M.P. 'West Coast—Messrs W. D. Mcares, H. H. Smith, A. F. Drayton, A. F. Wright, P. Davidson, W. Goss, H. Quanc, D. Reese, J. G. Herdman, D. F. Dcnnehy. H. Hunter, D. Swanßton, and J. Wyn Irwin. Propaganda (to arrange meetings and educate the public)— Messrs W. H. Triggs, M. L. Reading, E. C. Huie, L. M. Isitt, M.P., 0. T. J. Alpers, P. Hercus. McGregor Wright, R. Browning, E. J. Howard, G. Harper, W. Recce, H. J. Marriner, C. H. Hewlett, T. W. Reese, K. Willis, G. T. Booth, and W. J. Jenkin. , Statistical —Messrs H. A. Adley, J. Wyn Irwin, W. M. Tyers, W. D. Mcarcs, R. S. Badge; - , A. D. Dobson, Cyrus J. Williams, T. W. Reese, J. Black, H. Quanc, and Jas. Jamicson. It was proposed by Mr Marriner that the executive should consist of the Mavors of Borough Councils, the chairmen of County Councils, the presidents of the following organisationslndustrial Association, Trades and Labour Council, A. and P. Association Employers' Association, Chamber of Commerce, Farmers' Union, members of Parliament, und the chairmen of the sub-committees. Mr Hewlett considered such an execuaivr too cumbersome. . j Upon his motion it was decided that the executive should consist of th© chairman of the General Committee and two representatives from every one of the sub-committces. . The chairman was authorised to call meetings of the sub-committces until the appointment of conveners. The chairman was appointed ani c* officio member of all committees, which were given power to add to their numNew members added to the General Committee were the Hon. D. Buddo, M.P.. G. W. Forbes, M.P., JFrascr, and W. Bates. In moving that the movement W given the name of the Canterbury Railway League, Mr H. J?. Smith said no did not say it was the fault of our members of Parliament, but Canterbury ha<l not secured justice in the P ast T connexion with her railways. ijj position, in fact, in regard to the * telton service particularly was intolerable, and would not be tolerated » other parts of the. Dominion. Mr D. F. Dcnnehy said it was onfr the apathy of the public and members of Parliament that had allowed thing to drift, and our public men should fee! ashamed of themselves(Hear, hear.) Ho proposed organisation should bo called Otira Tunnel League. . Mr Smith withdrew his motion »■ favour of Mr Denuehy's. . It was finally decided to call th , ganisation "ihe Arthur s Pass Leajjuo#"

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