BULLER RAILWAY

Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1932, Page 6

BULLER RAILWAY

DEPUTATION TO PREMIER. (By Telegraph—Pt. Press association/ WELLINGTON. April 26. The Government was asked to-day by u deputation representing influential interests iu the Buller d(strict, to divert the unemployed workers who have been shifted from the construction of the West port-1 inuigalma railway hack from relief works into the completion of this length, so that some return could be secured lor the money already spent, ami great aieas of coal and timber bearing land tapped. The deputation was arranged lor the Prime .Minister and Mr Coates, but Mr Coates did not attend. Mr 11. H. -toiling was present.

The deputation was introduced by Mr 11. E. Holland, member for the District, who said that the deputation represented the \J estport Borough Council, the Buller Progress League, and tile Buller County Council. They desired to urge that the Wostportfnangalnia sect.on ol the Buller Gorge railway should again be put in bund ami completed. The men formerly employed on the work had been transferred to relief works in other parts, and in some eases were engaged on work of an unproductive character. The line would represent a national asset.

Air Forbes said that he recognised that it would be an advantage to have the men continue their occupation on the spot where their wives and families wore domiciled. It had to be faced, however, that it was impossible to borrow money for railway constitution now. “I know that unfinished work of this sort looks something like an untinii-died house.” Mr Forbes said. “T have seen houses with the roof left off because money had run out. That is the position with this line. |f file pne is finished, wo have to face the possibility of driving the hist spike and then abandoning the hue altogether, because, it the i mining cost is too great, it cannot lie continued. unless the public purse is inexliausta ble.

M> Forties said that the Government had slowed down on hydro and other construction works, and railways were governed also by finance. He promised to investigate the representations made.