GREYMOUTH'S WANTS

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

GREYMOUTH'S WANTS

DEPUTATIONS to minister oi! 1 MAIiINIS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Greymouth, March 7. The Hon. T. M. Wilford, Minister of Marine, who arrived here last night, ieroived the members of the Groyiuouth Harbour Board to-day as a deputation. Suggestions were submitted to the Minister to place the board on a better, financial footing. The Minister undertook to consult the Minister of Railways oil his return to Wellington, with the object of arranging a solution of the ilimfulties of the board', which at present owes the Government J521.000 in connection with loans. He thought tho board should leave a railway area, and if a rate were struck the .government could K ive a subsidy, but it wan necessary to ascertain how tho board stood. towards the Railway Department financially beforo anything could be done.- _ This evening the Minister received, a deputation from tlite Grey port wa'lersidcrs, advocating the better lighting oi the wharf, and promised favourable consider, ntio'i of the. matter. A large deputation representing loj.al returned soldiers, supported by the Labour Party, asked for the release ol 1. M.l'., introduced' deputations representing the Labour Party, the seamen, and others, asking lor the release of conscientious objectors, also. tno "Green Kay" editor and publisher, and Al>co Parkinson. The deputation also ur»ed the Minister to oppose tho proposal of the Defence . Minister regarding four months' compulsory military service for eighteen-year-old youths, and to take action to secure for seamen tho right to vote at the April liquor referendum. In reply, Mr. Wilford said the question nf the release of conscientious objectors and military offenders was one of policy, and was for tho Cabinet's decision. "Personally/' said Mr. AVilford, I will not help any conscientious objector or military prisoner to snap the positions required by returning soldiers. The lnj> ter's needs come first in my opinion, lipc.irdiuc the "Green Kay' prisoners, Cabinet hail already* decided to take no action. In the matter of Alice Part'll- - he would look into the facts of the case, and make a pronouncement later. In regard to the proposal of the Minister of Defence for four months' training at camps, lie would defer reply until ho had ascertained the :;ctual value of the proposal. As to the somen's vote, lie would, as Minister rf Marine, see that thev got the vote. Tho Minister will lrave on his return to Wellington this mornins.