RAILWAY WORKS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 140, 8 March 1919, Page 7

RAILWAY WORKS

: 1 ' AND CANIBRnUUJT CLAIMS. By Telegraph—Press Association. ; Christchurch, March 7. A deputation of niem'jevs of I'arlin- i ment. tho Chamber of. Commerce, and tho Progress Loaguo waited on the Hon. ■' J. A. Hanan and asked luui to urge tli® Government to expedito tho completion of tho Otiva Tunnel. Tho speakers pointed out that in tho North Island four men were employed on railway works as compared with ono in the South Island, and in regard to expenditure thero was n. margin of A'GM.SOO in favour of the; North Island. The completion of' thor tunnel would relievo tho coal and tho, labour situations. It was also mentioned that a suggestion had been made that the' Ciuitorbury members should form a solid phalanx and put up a protest in tho House by obstruction. Tho lion. Jh', Jhnr.ti, in tho course of his reply, said that whilo he was a strong South Islander, he was prepared to assist tho rcasonablo claims of the North Island. He snoko ot tho unity of tho Canterbury members, aud their zeal for the province. It was very seldom that five or six men could hold up tho House. Ho hoped there would bo no necessity for tho Canterbury members to tako a bold and reckkss course. Tho war had caused conditions to bo abnormal, but now that Uiq men weie coming back they could find employment for many on public works. He knew that •the' Minister was anxious, to pusJi .on tho works under' his control.' f_ He would represent the claims' of 'this district for tho coiuplotion of'tho tunnel "as strongly as they, had dono to birn.,'