STOPPAGE OF THE GREYMOUTH HARBOUR WORKS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2389, 25 April 1884, Page 2

STOPPAGE OF THE GREYMOUTH HARBOUR WORKS.

Tho Government intend to discontinue the prosecution of the Greymouth harbour works on Thursday next, Ist May, A correspondent telegraphed to the Argus yesterday from Wellington as follows : “ I called upon Mr Bryce this morning in reference to the Greymouth Works, and met with a courteous reception. On asking the Native Minister whether it was a fact that all the harbor works staff were to be knocked off on the Ist May, he replied that unfortunately it was so. The fact was greatly to be regretted, and the step would not have been taken but that dire necessity compelled them. They simply had nob the money to expend. Tho domuudd upon Gyvommcut iui

incurring expenditure in various ways had been so pressing and continuous for some time past that they had run them* selves short, and were now absolutely compelled, with much reluctance, to curtail expenditure where it was deemed to be least urgent; and as Greymouth harbor works came within that category it was resolved to discontinue the works there for some time. Having pointed out to him what a disastrous thing the stoppage would be to a great many poor families, he said that while he could not but deeply " regret the hardship it would be, yet there was no other course left open to them. As a Government they were becoming very unpopular, but the main cause for that he found was that they were unable to keep expenditure in accordance with the view and wish of a large section of the people of the colony; but despite that, they must needs do their duty. The present shortness of cash is due to a considerable extent to the large sums they have been obliged to send Home for new rolling stock, of which the lines are undoubtedly in great need in many places. Although he regards the stoppage as only temporary, he does not think that the mere meeting of Parliament will be sufficient to cause work to be resumed immediately after, inasmuch as the money is not available; nor will they be able to obtain any advances out of the three million loan before December next, or eight months hence, before which time it would appear the works now being discontinued are not very likely to be resumed. “As for the non-acceptance of the Nelson Creek Railway contract, similar reasons were given. The work is not regarded as one of such urgency as to cause them to push it on in preference to others while in such a state of financial embarrassment. Greymouth, it appears, is not the only place which will suffer in consequence of the emptinesss of the State chest. “ The foregoing will account very completely for the increased railway tariff, and the attempt to economise on the Civil Service.”