STOPPAGE OF WORK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 9 January 1931, Page 6

STOPPAGE OF WORK

ON MIDLAND LINE “An astounding action" WAIMEA COUNTY’S PROTEST A protest against the stoppage of \york on the Midland line was made at yesterday!s meeting of the Waimea Comity Council. Councillor H. Everett said that in the absence of the Chairman the Mayor of Nelson, Mr W. J. Moffatt, had reminded Councillor A. Kenyon and himself 'of the action of the Government in stopping work on the Midland railway. = The Mayor had pointed out that such action would throw 300 men out of employment. As the Member of Parliament for Nelson was a member of, the Ministry it 1 was not wished to do anything which would prejudice Mr Atmore’s position and therefore Nelson had not. adopted the extreme action taken- by other centimes. The Mayor had hoped the' Council would support the protest which was'being, made. Councillor ; Ev’erett then moved • that the Waimea County Council enter its protest against the stoppage of work on the Midland line a’’d that the Chairman proceed to Wellington at an early date with a deputation of representatives of local bodies, to interview the Acting-Prime Minister. Councillor Kenyon seconded the motion. i . Councillor L. Higgins said he offered his support not so much on account of the unemployment it caused but on account of the ridiculous action in stopping the construction work when-it was within two miles of Murchison. Councillor T. Hewetson said he had heard that the cost of taking away the material and men from the \vork would amount to as much as it would to complete the- line to Murchison. .The chairman, Councillor J. Corder, said it . was astounding that a Government w;hich was put into power on its railway policy could stop such a work and . take away the money already granted, for, it. - The motion was earned unanimously.