MARLBORORGH DEPUTATION

Hokitika Guardian, 7 October 1931, Page 6

MARLBORORGH DEPUTATION

ARRIVAL AT WELLINGTON. (By Telegraph —Per Tress Association) WELLINGTON, October 7. The unusual spectacle of a huge deputation from Marlborough district arriving by special steamer from Picton, aroused considerable interest, in the city this morning. •The party left the South Island in ttye early hours and reached Wellington at 10.45 a.in. (Each member wore wore a ribbon inscribed “S.I.M T. must live.” Altogether there were 480 residents of Marlborough district who bad made the special trip to urge Parliament to continue the construction of the South Island main trunk railway. As the deputation lined upon the wharf, it could be seen there was a sprinkling of all sections of the community, including; professional men, business men, farniers and clergymen. The party, which was led by Mr EHealy, Member_for Wairau was headed by a Pipe Band and wa cheered by spectators as it marched off the wharf and proceeded in a most orderly manner through the city streets to Parliament Buildings.

DEPUTATION’S VIEWS. -

- l ■ - WELLINGTON, October 7. * The South Island Main Trunk deputation was introduced to Members of both Houses of Parliament by Mr Healy, M.P., who said all the people of Marlborough were behind them in their advocacy of the completion of the line. Mr W. T> Churchward (President of Marlborough Progress League) said the Board based its finding on fallacies. He contended that if the line were completed, there would be a saving to the State on the reorganisation of the present deadened services, of fifty thousand annually. The resources of Marlborough would be increased to an extent of over half a million annually, from which he estimated the State would gain an additional £104,000 annually in taxation, whereas if work r the line were stopped there would be a perpetual loss of £42,000 representing the interest on eight hundred thousand sterling already spent on Itlie work. There would'-be no loss* to tin 1 State if the line were completed. Other advocates who spoke were Mr W. Girling, member of the Progress League, and two representatives of the workers of Wharanui-Parnassus section, who spoke of the unemployment that a stoppage of .the work would involve.