MIDLAND RAILWAY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 6 January 1931, Page 7

MIDLAND RAILWAY

FURTHER ACTION BY PROGRESS LEAGUE

PROTEST TO ACTING=PRIME MINISTER EMPHASISED OPINION OF LABOUR LEADER It being rumoured yesterday that construction "materials were likely to be removed from the railway works, and taking advantage of the fact that the Hon. H. Atmore was returning to Wellington last evening, as many of the town members of the Progress League as could be got together at very short notice held a meeting in the afternoon and discussed the position with Mr Atmore, who undertook to place the League’s representations before the Acting-Prime Minister this morning. After the interview the League passed the following resolution, which was forwarded to the Hon. Mr Ransom last night:— “At a further urgent meeting ot the Nelson Progress League to-day, disappointment was expressed at the non-receipt of a reply to our previous representations beyond the ActingPrime Minister’s formal acknowledgement. Tlie League desires to again emphasise that the Government itself, and the members for these districts in particular, were elected mainly on their pledge to complete the main lines. Surprise is also expressed that in view of the present Acting-Prime Minister’s condemnation of the South Main Trunk line at the time of his appointment as Minister of Public Works, the Midland line should now be suspended and that line continued. We would further remind the Government of the huge coal deposits in the vicinity of the route and the fact that Port Nelson is open 365 days, in the year. The Midland line has the unanimous support of the Progress Leagues of the South Island as shown by the resolutions passed at annual conferences. The work is actually in progress within two miles of Murchison and suspension of the line will mean nearly 300 additional unemployed, including many married men with families. We already have 98 men in the city alone unprovided for, notwithstanding that 65 are now temporarily on relief works. Apart from the fact that we are quite sure the line will pay when completed would it not be sounder economically to keep all these men on this national work, rather than transfer them to purely relief works of doubtful value? It is rumoured that construction materials are to be removed from the works. This is incredible and we ask for an immediate official denial. “In conclusion. lam directed to quote the following from a letter addressed to the League by Mr H. E. Holland, M.P. for Buller, in reply to a copy of our previous telegram to you: “ ‘I am personally fully in accord with your League’s resolution and would add that when the time arrives at which a Government deems it necessary to scrap a main feature of the programme on which it secured office, the obligation is upon it to come hack to the electors and give them the opportunity to say whether the volte face is justified or not.’ ”