SOUTH ISLAND RAILWAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4461, 5 June 1930, Page 2

SOUTH ISLAND RAILWAY.

A STATEMENT CHALLENGED. Per Press Assoeiat ion. BLENHEIM. June 3. Ihe Pillowing statement war. made in .sir E. F. tlealy, M.P.. to a Press representative in reply to Mr W. .1. Gilding's references to the pre-elec-tion attitude o| lion. .1. G. Coates in respect to the project of completing the South Islam! Alain Trunk radii u.\ : "In ielcretice to Mr Gilding's altitude regarding a mysterious telegram irom Mr Coates to himself, as to the completion of the Alain Trunk line “Uni liis dcfi-nee of Air Coates. I feel hound to observe that hits statement will no doubt, make electors wonder where Air Gilding hi nisei I stands in the matter ol constructing and finishing this great iiaiional undertaking. Air Girling states that at. no Lime during the last election campaign did he receive a niess,itge from Air Coates that lie would complete the South Island Alain Trunk railway, nor did lie make such a nl.a 1 emeut during the campaign. A copy of the Express with Air Gildings Spring Creek speech was produced in the House, and Sir Joseph Ward read word for word what Mr Gilding said there, ami (his was that mi the completion of the West-jioid-l imngahitii line he (Air Coates) would immediately proceed willi ihe completion of the Alain Trunk South line. Further than that, Air Girling in his last Blenheim address actually waved a telegram or supposed on the phi I form, and repeated what lie said at Spring Creek regarding Alt Coates's promise. I myself later in the session, together with Air IL E. Holland and Air I). Sullivan, read the reference made to this railway by Air Girling in his Spring Creek speech, a» also did I luu. 11. A Linore.

•This Inis nil gone unchallenged until miw. alter an interval ot IS inoulhs. Mr Milling's election secretary acrnally lold Mr G. C. Black, member tor .Motiieka. and myself, in comp,•tin, tli.at lie-read the telegram to defend Mr Hiding's statement in the House as he was not there to defend himself. On one visit to JJienheim during the session I asked Air Girling if lie could lei me use this telegram jo protect bis word in the House, but .Mr Milling advised me that the telegram was of Mich minor importance in it- reference lo lhe railway that he Innl lorn il up and burned iL "Nnw lie advises all New Zealand where lie stands. Mr Coates is of iiiMiv it) him limn our l*nii—--ml he inis never received any „ ire. All 1 can say is that this is in>l i I ic.-i I effrontery. Mr H. E. Holland Leader of the Labour Party. ~,( 1, ie reference in Christchurch to the :1 ilv. a v in ail good tail it as to Mr Mirli.jgV references at Spring Creek being L-nrrcetlv reported. . "I do m<t dice coining into this eon- , reverse with a political opponent, hut one caiimit leave this In go unchallenged, especially a.s it affects one ot mu"largest and most necessary itnde.r----takim-s in the Dominion. Besides, esiHTUi 11 v as Mr Milling’s statements have been broadcast throughout New Zealand, I feel strongly that 1 owe it A,‘.Mr |i. E. Holland, Mr Sullivan. Hon. 11. Atmoio and other friends of Mie undertaking to protect their jut egrily.