THE OTIRA TUNNEL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 73, 2 March 1916, Page 2

THE OTIRA TUNNEL.

WORK TO BE CURTAILED, Per Press Association.. Wellington, March 1. A deputation representing the workers at Otira tunnel waited on Hon. \\ . Fraser Minister of Public Works, today to ask whether work at the tunnel is to be closed down. The speakers said that indications pointed to a stoppage of the work, and the men, as well as business people, were naturally anxious to know. The Minister said that he did not want to stop work altogether at the tunnel, but he must accept the advice of his experts and be guided by them. It wa s absolute that there should be general economy in expenditure on public works. He had only a certain amount of money available, which must last him at the very least until March, 1917. There was no intention of stopping the work entirely at Otira, and before any large number of men were dismissed there would be a general intimation of what was going to be done. They would know in the next month or so. It was exceedingly likely that the number of men would have to be reduced.