RAILWAY DISPUTE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 755, 30 August 1929, Page 9

RAILWAY DISPUTE

i CLASH BETWEEN MINISTER ANP MR. COATES STATEMENTS DENIED (THE SCS’S Parliamentary Reporter, WELLINGTON. Today During the speech of the Minister ot Education, the Hon. H. Atmore. in the Budget debate last evening, there was a sharp clash between him and the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates over the question of the Waiotura-Kirikopuni section of railway in North Auckland. The Leader of the Opposition had explained that the railway line to Kirifeopuni hacl been a matter of engineering difficulty, said Mr. Atmore. The point that the Unied Party made, however, was that there should not have been an attempt to put that railway through. Although Mr. Cattes was asking for a close investigation into the railway works now mooted, when told that the Kirikopuui line would cost £87.000 a year, he had not ordered it to stop. Mr. Coates: That is not fair. Mr. Atmore: We have documents to show it. The Leader of the Opposition was advised in advance that the line would not pay. Mr. Coates: That 1 deny deDuitely. The Minister quoted figures from a return recently presented to the House to show that the net loss on the line from May 15, 1928. to March 2, 1929, was £40,427. including interest on the cost of construction. “Will the Leader of the Opposition dispute that?” asked Mr. Atmore. Mr. Coates: I replied to that the other day. Mr. Atmore: It was not a reply; it was an attempt. Mr. A. M. Samuel (Thames): You are a wonderful chap. Mr. Atmore: I am sorry I cannot reciprocate. Mr. Samuel: Why don't you get Shakespeare to reply for you? Mr. Atmore: I wouldn't get Moses. A Reform Voice: Or Burns.