Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16th. 1920. A FORWARD MOVEMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16th. 1920. A FORWARD MOVEMENT.

The Canterbury members of Parliament irrespective of party, are associating themselves into a committee for the purpose of furthering the needs of Canterbury. This is a very desirable movement, and it is to be regretted that the West Coast members cannot do likewise. The Coast representatives consist only of Messrs Seddon, Holland and Hudson, and special machinery in their case is not very convenient; but it might he possible for them to associate themselves with their Canterbury colleagues and form a West Coast braijc'b, There is a great deal in common between the East and West Coast#, much more will be brought out when the two sides of : the Island are linked up by rail. The mountain barrier serves to shut out the view of each but there is the comjflupity of interest, and this ■ will be more manifest later when the two sides are inter-chouging products more readily through the medium jof the through railway. In many respects one side is (the complement jt° (the o,ther. Their, physical situation is such that- one produces what the other Cfl/inot, and this will be strongly emphasised .when the railway is carrying our timber, coal and other natural products t° Canterbury and we receive in return the cereals and product of the land w.e jio not produce enough of ourselves. The ralway when it sets out' on its business career will have great difficulty in coping with the traffic. But when will the railway be in running order? The Canterbury members at their meetng, when Mr Isitt was appointed permanent Chairman, and Mr Sullivan peir man on t Secretary, did not overlook the matter. Ml’ Witty moved and Mr Sullivan seconded: “That a telegram be forwarded to the Jfijijster of Public Works asking him to pres# forward with the work of the completion of thp Arthur’s! Pass Tunnel as rapidly as possible.” Mr Howard referred to the question of wages which, he said, should' be £1 per day. The Chairman said that he had never been able to see'the force of the argument that to increase tho wages of the tunnel workers would set the rates for other work. The work at the tunnel was specially hard. The motion was agreed to, with an addition to the effect that the wages should be increased. This action will be gener. ally approved. Unfortunately there is not any announcement yet as to the new Minister of Public Works, and till an appointment ,i,s made, Sir William Eraser is not likely to move Put of the rut ho has elected to take’ in regard to (the work, The Canterbury members, and we hope jthe West Coast members also, as soon as a new appointment is announced will not lose any time in meeting file Minister and reaching some definite understanding as to the acceleration of the rate of pro- | gross of the works. The country is suffering a great loss daily through the lack of meanes of through intercourse, and tho want of the fuel and timber from this Coast on the East Coast. Tho existing fine is eating its head off in interest which wiJJ he earned oyer and over again once the wheels arc in locomotion, Pet .that desirable result be soon?