SOUTH ISLAND RAILWAY

Southland Times, Issue 21098, 2 June 1930, Page 7

SOUTH ISLAND RAILWAY

MR COATES’S ATTITUDE.

QUESTION RAISED BY LABOUR LEADER.

(Per United Press Association.)

Blenheim, June 1. Speaking at Christchurch a few days ago, the Leader of the Labour Party (Mr H. E. Holland) in referring to railway construction matters, stated that during the last election campaign when there was a danger of Reform losing the Wairau seat, Mr W. J. Girling, then member for the district, announced that he had Mr Coates s authority to say that the South Island Main Trunk railway would be completed, but Reform lost the seat and then opposed the conclusion of the line. This statement was referred to Mr Girling, who stated that at no time during the last election campaign did he receive a message from Mr Coates that he would complete the South Island Main Trunk railway nor did he make such a statement during the campaign. The reference in his addresses to Mr Coates’s attitude towards the railway was to the effect that when Mr Coates was speaking in the House on railway construction he (Mr Girling) had interjected and asked the then Prime Minister "What about the South Island Main Trunk line?” Mr Coates had replied that after the completion of the Westport-Inangahua line, he would turn his attention to the South Eland Main Trunk.

“Quite a number of members of Parliament,” said Mr Girling, “have made statements similar to that now made by the Leader of the Labour Party and in justice to Mr Coates I feel it my duty to make the position clear.” Mr Girling concluded by expressing keen .satisfaction that in spite of the opposition of Mr Coates in the House and elsewhere, the line was being pushed on to a successful conclusion, and said that with the rest of the people of Marlborough, he was looking forward to the day when the official opening would take place.