ARTHUR'S PASS TUNNEL.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16147, 27 February 1918, Page 6

ARTHUR'S PASS TUNNEL.

MEETINGS OF LEAGUE

COMMITTEES

ARRANGEMENTS FOR

DEPUTATION

The Deputations and the Finance Committees of the Arthur's Tass Tunnel League met yesterday afternoon. The two committees first met jointly, the .Mayor (Mr 11. Holland) presiding. The members of tho deputations Committee pri'sent were: Messrs G. Harper. H. Quane, A. F. Wright C. H. Hewlett. 11. J. Marriner, V 11. A\ insor, and G. S. White; apologies were received from Messrs J. J. Dougnll and W. Gogs. The Finance Committee members present wereMessrs A. Kaye. J. G. Herdniau, j! 0. Jameson. W. Recce. F. M. Warren and H. It. Besi. H. S. Hobday sent an apology.

Hie Mayor, in opening the preceedings, said that he agreed iritli ?h© new spapers when they pointed out that vhey had set up a great amount of machinery—almost as much as would be necessary if the work of the tunnel wero being commenced. It was necessary that they should get to work with as little delay as possible. Ho suggested that the League might work in conjunction with the Advance Canterbury League to be set up ne:;t month. \\ ith regard to the question of a secretary of the League, lio said that he had been approached by a gentleman who was witling to undertake the work in conjunction with tho secretarial work ot the Advance Canterbury League, and he thought one officer could do the work for both organisations. He urged as the most necessary immediate step that the deputation to wait on the Minister of Public Works should be set up. On the Mayor's motion, Mr H. Hunter's name was added to the Deputations Committee; Mr H. R. Bests to the Propaganda and Statistical Committees, and Mr A. C. Maxwell's to the Deputations and Propaganda Committees.

Mr 11. Quane, referring to the chairman's remarks respecting the Advance Canterbury League, suggested that it would be wise to confine themselves to tunnel matters.

Mr C. H. Hewlett said this matter was threshed out at tho public meeting, when it was rosolveu that tne League should concentrate on the agitation for tho speedy completion of the tunnel.

Tho Mayor said he quite agreed with that view, but thought that there might bo some on the League willing to assist the Advance Canterbury League.

Mr F. M. Warren moved: "That a strong representative deputation be appointed to proceed to Wellington at the earliest possible opportunity to interview the Minister of Public Works." He urged immediate action, otherwise, he said, they might find themselves left in tho lurch. The 31st of March—tho end of the financial year—was approaching, and Parliament) was to, assemble shortly, and if they did not make representations on the subject of the tunnel and got an absolute assurance from the Minister that a certain sum would be set aside for the further progress of the work, they would find that no provision bad been made. If they wasted time organising and educating the public they would find that they nad "missed the bus." A strong, energetic > move should be made in the. matter with tlje view of obtaining from the Minister an absolutely definite and reliable answer to the deputation's representations. Mr A. F. Wright seconded the motion, and referred to the necessity for tho deputation waiting oti the Minister before Parliament met.

Mr G. Harper heartily supported the motion, and said that tho deputation should wait on the Minister without delay. Ho understood that at the approaching session of Parliament ua estimates and no finance matters wouid be dealt with, but that would not interfere with tho deputation getting a direct answer, one way or another, as to tho Minister's intentions. \Tho question of money was not so important; he understood that tho rnonuy was available; what was desired was tho Minister to Bay if ho intended pushing on with tho work, and use all possible means at hiß disposal to havo it completed. Mr Quaino suggested that the deputation should be a combined one from Canterbury and the West Coast. Such a deputation would carry great, weight. Mr Albert Kayo referred to the necessity for the deputation being supported by tho Canterbury and Westj and members of Parliament.

It was agreed that tho deputation should be u joint ono, and the motion was agreed to.

Mr Warren, in some remarks respecting mo worJt ol ttic comnnttoos, said he thought tftut it raigut bo just as well if iniiL-ji of tiieir worn laid dormant until they knew what tho unswer to the deputation was. If tho answer was advoit-e, tue duties ol the committees wouid be to institute meetings throughout Canterbury and "Wostland in oruer to get tnc wnolc of the support ol tho two district!-, and to work up a strong ease to put before Parliament.

Tho Mayor said that the committees had been set up by the public meeting, and he thought tliat they ought to asr sumo that trie answer would dc an adverse one. (Dissont.)

Mr Marriner said lie did not think that they should rest on their oars.

Mr Hewlett said that evon if tho answer wore satisfactory, there migtu! bo some, delay in giving effect to it. Tho members or the Financc Com* mitteo at this juncturo left to hold a 'meeting. Mr H. J. Marrinor was dec ted chairman of the Deputations Committee. and took the chair.

Tho chairman and .Mr C. 11. Hewlett were appointed to the executive as representatives of the committer.. It was dosided to communicate with the following- bodies and person*, and nsk the bodies to appoint representatives on ihe deputation:—Member* of Parliament for Canterbury and West Coast, Industrial Association, Employers' Association, Chamber of Commerce. A. and I'. Association, Education Board, Canterbury College, all mayors of borouchs in Canterbury, and ehflirmon of all local bodies. Ihe questions of tho personnel of the deputation and tho .selection of speaker? were loft over till replies were received. It was decided to communicatc with tho Wet Coast Chambers of Commerce, informing theni of tho steps taken in connexion with the deputation and undertaking to let ♦ horn know the date fixeu for the deputation, so that the Coast representatives could join tho O" 1 tor bur;* representatives. It "-as dec : 'i"d to writ" to_ Sir TVIIF'siw, Minister of Public works, and ask him t/> receive the denotation on a date suitable to liH: andl "I® s *° ask h»m to invi+o the Prime Minister and Kir .To c "-nh Ward to bo present a* tr« dPiutf<tion. . T* Tr'ns do-ded tW future rneetiPZi o? t-1"> committee should be held in til® eveiinrr. . _ At th n of the Finance Own* mif+efl Mr F. M. Wprron was electa chairman, and the ohnirman and i TV. Reeee were appointed to repress"® + u e -omnirteo on the H. R. Best was appointed honorary secretAor.