ARTHUR'S PASS TUNNEL.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16160, 14 March 1918, Page 6

ARTHUR'S PASS TUNNEL.

STRIKE NOT YET SETTLED. (FIIOM our. OWN CORRESPONDENT.) OTIRA, March 13. No word has yet beon received from Wellington regarding tho report of Mr F. W. Furkert. Inspecting Engineer, Public Works Department, on the strike of the men employed on tho Arthur's Pass tunnel. A meeting of tho Minors' Union was held this afternoon, when it was decided that an endeavour be made to hurry along tho decision. It is feared that if the strike continues much longer, many of the men will liavo got employment elsewhere.

MEETING OF DEPUTATIONS COMMITTEE OF LEAGUE. Tho Deputations Committee of tho Arthur's Pass Tunnel League met yesterday afternoon when there were present: Messrs H. J. Marriner (chairman), H. Quane, Wm. Goss, J. J. Dougall, L. M. lsitt, M.P., Geo. Harper, and H. Holland. Tho chairman stated that tho business was to appoint speakers for tho deputation. Mr Holland said that he had received a, telegram from Mr D. J. Evans, Westland Chamber 'of Commerce, suggesting that tho Minister should bo asked to meet the deputation cither on Tuesday morning or Wednesday; otherwise tho West Coast members would have to devote about a week in travelling and waiting. It was decided to communicate with tho Minister, and ask him to receive tho deputation on Wednesday, 27th inst. It was decided that Mr L. M. Isitt. M.P., should introduce the deputation: that the West Coast people appoint two speakers, that Mr It. Galbraith (Mayor of Ash burton) should bo the speaker on behalf of South Canterbury; and that Messrs Wm. Goss, C. H. Howlctt (president Chamber of Commerce), and H. Holland (Mayor of Christchurch) should be tho other sneakers. TO TItE EDITOR. OF "I'HE PRESS." I Sir, —Tho executive of tho Arthur's Pass Tunnel League, at its meeting on Friday last, deciued that it would not allow the deputation, appointed by the West , Coast sub-committee of" the League, to visit the men at Otira whilst they wore on strike. Kindly allow me to suggest, through the medium of your journal, that tho Tunnel League is simply playing into the hands of the Minister of Public Works and, incidentally, nullifying the object for which it has been created, viz., to secure the early completion of the Otira tunnel. Is it not to the interest of those who are opposed to the acceleration of the work at the tunnel to pin-prick tho men and thus keep tjiem in a state of continual ferment? Can you expect the Minister of Public Works to bo keen upon settling the strike -when he is apparently hard driven to find legitimate excuses for the inexcusable delay in prosecuting this great national undertaking? The Minister has tried to lerd tho public to believe that blacksmitns, tool sharpeners, ctc\, were unobtainable, and that he would employ any man who could sharpen a pick. What are the facts? About three weeks ago a first-class blacksmith was dismissed because they could not find work for him to do. A striker was called in the ballot, and no attemjJt was made to fiH his place. Thero is an elderly blacksmith at Otira quite capable of doing odd days to assist tho management. At the Bealey end there is a first-class tool sharpener employed in the tunnel. Why not put this man on the blacksmith's staff? Engineers at the tunnel are paid fourpenco per day less than is paid in Christen urch'.

There are other questions of waste of labour, otc., that call for prompt and careful enquiry, on the spot, and if tho people of Canterbury and Westland want the tunnel finished within a reasonable time they must take decisive action. Patience, courtesy, and etiquette, towards Government Departments aro all very -well, but there is a limit to the amount of procrastination, bungling, and evasion that the public will stand. The present position in regard to Otira tunnel is the dizzy limit, and the timo has arrived for Canterbury to take the gloves off and hit hard. —Yours, etc., HIRAM HUNTER. Christchurch, March 13th.