STORMY OPOTIKI MEETING

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 217, 7 August 1939, Page 2

STORMY OPOTIKI MEETING

DISTRICT MEMBER PRESENT REQUEST FOR RAIL AND ROAD STRONG SUPPORT GIVEN The public meeting held in Opotiki on Saturday night, was one of the most rowdy ever held in this town, some of the speakers being cried down and having little opportunity to express their views. The meeting was called by the Opotiki County Council, which invited representations of Opotiki organisations and the general public to be present. The liall was crowded to the doors, and on the platform were Messrs. V . A. Gault (who presided), J. H. Reid, A. G. Hidtquist, M.P., G. S. Moody, J. Stansbury and W. Thompson. Mr. Gault in outlining the objects of the meeting said it had been called for the purpose of obtaining a definite statement from the residents of Opotiki in urging the Rt. Hon. ML. J. Savage. Prime Minister, to make a definite statement as to when they could expect the railway to Opotiki to lie extended and the state highway between Opotiki and Taneatiia permanently sealed. The proposals had the whole-hearted approval of the county council, which thought that d it got tim hacking of the public it would carry more weight when requests were sent to the Government authorities. The railway had been promised and stirvev work has .been under way -for some time'. The route had now been defined on the other side of tlie Waiina.ua. river and they could see no reason why flu 1 Government should not bo able to make an early start. The sealing of the highway was very important. Opotiki was one of the most isolated counties in New Zealand, Only about three-quarters of a mile of road vas sealed in the county and it was time they had a little more. The road was a feeder to the railway and to a lesser degree a leader to the Opotiki factory. For some lime the, county council had been urging improvements to the road. For a time the authorities did not know where the' rail was going but be now understood' it was definitely fixed. The council had also hi'eii trying to got the road sealed. The council had met members of the Highways .Board staff anil they had new been promised sealing ot the road to Kutareri'. The council considered tlie rest of the roadi was worth sealing. He was pleased to have Mir. Hultqinst. the member for the district, present. They did not want politics introduced into the discussion that night.

' .Mr. 11 ii 11<|»list assured the chairman tin-re would not be anything, but that politics had been introduced in the past. .Mr. J. H. Heid, representing the Opotiki Railway League, was then called upon to speak. Mr. Reid said lc> thought it would be necessary to have ;i resolution put and seconded before there was any discussion. Air. J. T. Alerry. county clerk, then read t-he following resouition : 'i hat this largely attended meeting representative ot the h armors tnion (Opotiki Branch). Opotiki Railway League. Chandler of Commerce. A. and P. Association, and kindred institutions, settlors and residents ot the Opotiki County. Borough and out-P-ing districts, respectfully urge the Right Hon. the Prime Alinister or Acting Prime Alinister to fill til the proimise o'l establishing railway connection between Taneatua and Opotiki by an early commencement- with the actual construction work, and that the Prime Alinister or the deputy he invited to make a definite statement when a commencement may lie expected-. Mr. Reid said that for ot) years and more the district had been paying for railways througho-ut New Zealand, and it Was about- time Opotiki had seine direct- benefits. r l hoy had been informed by tin* Prime Alinister that the line would be constructed. Ihe Government, had been in office lor three and a-hall years’ since the promise was made and it was now time to redeem the promise. Alter tiie election the Prime Alinister said that he would redeem the promise as soon as possible. Nothing had been done yet except preliminary work. The speaker concluded ids remarks by referring to the value the rail would be iu connection with stock. Air. C. Black, iu seconding the resolution, remarked that it was important to knifw wlien the line would be started, but- it was more . important to know wiien it would be finished. Tim ‘Government- was i' ( >w .carrying out the ground work. Mr. A. Martin. sub-provincial president, said that the district was definitely in an isolated state and 2d

miles atva'y from the nearest railway. Opotiki had an unsatisfactory boat service, and goods were held up for long periods. The district was faced with long haulage by road. Manure was carried for., lo.s per ton' from Taneatua by road tot Opotiki,' while the rail freight was only 13/11 to Taneatua. The. district had been asking for the railway for many years and had been promised all sorts of things. Mr. Martin complained that frills were being put on the railways in existence. The Auckland railway station was a white elephant. Instead of spending money .on existing line’s it would be better to put. the railway further afield. He considered the Opotiki line should have been built prior to the Pqeroa-Pokeno deviation and that Opotiki was not getting a lair deal. The people had been silent too long. He was pleased to see such a big meeting. They might get something if they stuck out for it.

Mr. A. Davies referred to the fact that Mr. Reid was the original president of the Railway League. Owing to too much other work engaging bis attention Mr. Reid had had to relinquish his position. He had asked Mr. Reid to attend the meeting ami assist and he wi.shed to thank him

far being present. Mr. Davies referred to the heavy stock traffic from the district to he railed. There was no question as to whether the district wanted the lino. T.Ve'rv Minister had

agreed Opotiki should have the railway. There was only one arterial road to the railway and there was difficulty. in getting through stock. They were still where they were 12 years ago.

Mr W. president of the Opotiki branch of the Farmers’ Union, stated, that at the quarterly meeting held last June, a unanimous resolution was passed in favour of the railway, and resolutions forwarded to the Prime Minister and: Minister of Public Works . He would like to point out to the member present that in connection with requests for increased production it. was necessary, firstly, to have cheap fertilisers; secondly, reasonable transport facilities. IF'tli had been denied to Opotiki. The Farmers’ Union stood absolutely for the building of the railway to Opotiki. Mr. A. J. Kemp expressed his pleasure as seeing such a “multitude” present. He believed the member realised the importance of the meeting. They were not blaming him for not getting the railway. Opotiki had a solemn pledge, hut it was better late than never in making a start. They hoped the Government would not be so long in finishing the line as in making a start. It was a big job for farmers in handling fat lambs and rehandling thorn at present and it was a delicate one. Hundreds of thousands of stock were on the road every year and the road was blocked all along. The railway would be a big saving in the transport of thatstock. Ho hoped that the member, after hearing the views of the meeting. would go back to Wellington and see if the work would* be carried into effect.

Mr. C. Black, speaking on behalf of the Otara Settlors’ Association, expressed pleasure at seeing Mr. Hultquist present so that be could get the views of the people. They had to thank the member for giving In, valuable time.

Mr. J. Stansbury. president of the Opotiki A. and P. Association, said lie was pleased to associate- himself with the remarks of the previous speakers. He thought, it. should be pointed out that there must be considerably under half the land in the district- not under production. The sooner Opotiki. got the railway the better. Mr. Hultquist rose and: said be could show the meeting that the resolution would do more harm than good. If they poked a man in the eye too long that man might turn on them. Mr.- Hislop, secretary Opotiki Carriers’ Association, said tin* Opotiki yoads were the worst in New Zealand. He considered that the Opotiki public was very apathetic and should wake up and keep digging. ’Mr. Chas. Brown said ho objected to the form of the resolution. ll itwere not altered he intended to move an amendment. There was an uproar at this stage and Messrs. Davies and Brown bad a heated altercation. Mr. Brown suggested that undue pressure was being brought against tho Prime Minister. Not one word had been spoken about- the member’s work in connection with the railway and the road. He suggested an amcndinent should go l forward placing the meetings entire confidence in the member to place the matter before the authorities. Mr. Brown’s suggestion was ruled out. The chairman said they were casting no reflection oil the member. The district fully appreciated bis work. They were only asking for a straight out statement. Mr. Merry said it was intended to rnlv asking when the Prime .Minister would carry out hi.s promise. Ho He then again road the resolution and pointedl out that it was quite simple and not hurtful. Mr. C. Black said that pressure had been brought to bear on the county council, and that night's meeting had been called to see if the resident’s agreed with ilit* county council’s views. It was not a question of poking a .stick. Jt would have been the same meeting if another party had been in power. They wanted to assist the- member. My. Hultquist said the resolution was going to hinder. Mr. Davies said the Bailway 1.-c-agiie bad: never had any knockbucks. There was no argument about the, line going to start. The years were going bv and Opotiki was now going to ask when the railway was going to start. Mr. Martin said he understood the member was present to hear the views of the meeting, lie could then go to Wellington with those views. Jf there were any obstacles in the way the Prime Minister could say so. He objected to the member, coming in and trying to swing one across.

Mr. Brown at this stage moved as an amendment that the meeting had absolute confidence in Mr. Hultquist. This was seconded. There was again an uproar .andi the chairman announced his intention of putting the motion to the meeting.

Mr. Hultquist rose to a point of order. He protested in very strong terms against not being allowed to address the meeting before the resolution was put. He stated that he had worked all day on Thursday and all night on Thursday. He was being brought from Wellington for nothing. He protested against the meeting which was going to hinder him. The meeting should pass a vote of confidence in the Government's promises and in their member. . He had been attacked by the local Press and was not being allowed to answer those attacks. Further interruptions occurred when attempts to speak were made. Afr. Hultquist again rose to a point of order. He stated the people of Opotiki did not want to carry the resolution unless they heard the position as at present. lie referred to the national position and international situation.

' Air. Davies interrupted the speaker’s remarks in connection with word from Air. Semple and said they had had all sorts of letters from the A 1 blister about the railway. U25,C00 had been voted last year and £5,000 this year.

Air. Aierry said that they did net want to hear Air. Hultquist’s opinion, but the opinion of the meeting. Air. Gault then put the resolution to the meeting, there being a big majority in favour, while a, lew loud voices showed disagreement. Sealing cf State Highway. Air. Aierry then read the following resolution: That this large and representative gathering of members of local institutions and residents within tlic Opotiki Comuy, Borough and adjoining .Districts, urge the Prime Alinistcr- or his Deputy to undertake immediately as an urgent work, the permanent alignment and sealing of the State Highway between Opotiki and the railhead at Taneatua. Air. Alartin. said that he had much pleasure in moving the resolution, stating that Opotiki had to suffer worse roads than any other part of New Zealand, when population was considei ed. He referred to enormous expenditure on roads not so important as those in Opotiki. hour hundred vehicles daily used the road to Taneatua. II the railway were started it would take several years before it was completed. The road- badly needed attention and the speaker referred to the loss of life. It would he necessary to have Hie read realigned and sealed. Good sealed roads in other parts were being torn up and then made twice as wide.

The motion was seconded: by Air. J. Stansbury. .Air. Clias. Blown rose and said that to bring the member from Wellington and not allow him to speak was an insult of the worst description .

Air. Hislop pointed out that when prices for carrying had boon fixed for the district the Authority had allowed an extra (xi per toil to Opotiki liecause ol' flic' shocking state of the Opotiki roads. The damage to lorries was very heavy. 'There was a teni'ie amount of traffic: over tlto road. AA hen other districts could l get. good scaled roads alongside the* railways then it was time they should have a good road in Opotiki.

The motion, was carried, with only two dissentient voices. Air. O. Brown: 'The terms of the motion are crooked.