MINISTERS' MOVEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 293, 10 December 1900, Page 5

MINISTERS' MOVEMENTS.

— *. — HON. J. G. WARD

This morning the Hon. J. G. Ward paid an official visit of inspection to the Post Office, and also the Railway Department. In the afternoon Mr. Ward arranged to take several deputations after three o'clock.

On Saturday Mr. Ward paid a, visitto the Waikato, being accompanied by Mr. Eonayne, general, manager of the railways, Messrs. Coom, Beattie, McDonald, Pose, Donne, C. Ward, Jackson Palmer and others. At Mercer the Minister was met by Mr.. F. W. Lang, M.H.R., and spent some time watching the regatta, after which the party was entertained to lunch by the officials. A deputation on railway matters was received at Huntly by Mr. Ward, and Hamilton was ultimately reached about 4 p.m. Mr. George Edgecumbe, Mayor of Hamilton, and the members of the Council, welcomed Mi*. Ward at the station. Deputations were subsequently received at the Council Chambers. Messrs. Dey and Primrose, on behalf of the Hospital Board, asked that the Counties' Act be brought into force, and that the Government should contribute towards the cost of natives sent to the institution from the King Country and Kawhia County. Mr. Ward promised to bring the matter under the notice of the Minister iv charge of that department.

A deputation from the Borough Council, headed by the Mayor, brought before Mr. Ward the questions of establishing railway workshops at Frankton, the enlargement of the Hamilton station, and erection of cattle shipping yards. The deputation also urged making one station for Hamilton and another for Frankton. They pointed out that the line to Ohaupo would not carry through traffic, and if the deviation had to be made it would be best to clo so now. They also pointed out the suitability of inland centres for workshops, from a strategical point of view. Mr. Ward said he would have to consult his colleagues, but promised to look into the whole question. He said he had not before heard of the line being unsafe.' Instructions had been given to erect a verandah at Hamilton station, which he thought would meet the present requirements. The local traffic manager and engineer had been instructed to confer with the Borough authorities re shipping, yards. The Ministerial party ne^t went on to Cambridge and were met at the station by the Mayor and Councillors, Chairman of Waipa County Council, and others. Deputations waited upon Mr Ward. Mr Barugh, Chairman of the Farmers' Association, asked for free carriage of manure on railways, claiming that the extra output of produce would compensate the first loss to the Department. Mi" Ward said that while recognisipg . the, importance of the question at present he did not see his way to grant the request, as the Government had already made large'concessions: If the request were granted it would have; to apply to the whole colony. At. the end of' the financial year, when, the result of the year's working was known, he would _ .consider the matter. The line had to be drawn somewhere.

In reply to another deputation Mr Ward promised to open a few. chains of siding-to Taupiri quarry it one..of the local bodies would undertake, the responsibility of management.."

Messrs Souter.and Co., in the evening entertained the Ministerial party and. over a hundred representative^ residents at a smoke concert.... The Mayor precided, and in opening said it was not a, political g-athering. . Af-. ter the toast of "The Queen," , the Chairman proposed "The Ministry,", coupled with the name of Mr Ward. He said that the present Ministry had done good work, and the country was in a prosperous condition. So long as they, continued to do right they would have the good will of the* people. He felt confident that Mr Ward would prove an able Minister. They had to thank him for the reduction in postage, and the concessions rhade in railway freights, promised well for his management of the railways.

,~ In. responding- the Hon. Mr Ward said it afforded him great pleasure to be present, and the cordial reception he had received was most gratifying. He thanked Mr Buckland for the kind remarks about himself. That the country was in a prosperous condition was evidenced by the fact that the men- -and women of the Colony had twenty millions in savings banks." They had never before' been able tcr point to such an impregnable fact. It was difficult to estimate how fasL the country was progressing. Not. long ago, when in Australia, or any other country, it was not a wise thing to say that you came from New Zealand, Now, to say that you bailed from New Zealand was of .the nature of passports. The. sins of the pioneer settlers had ■ brought this" about. Tj^ere were not many people who could have predicted what. coUrse the young men would. follow when dangers arose. Their support of the Empire had made New Zealand more safe-, They had now taken upon themselves responsibilities, and they must be represented in the Commons and the House of Lords, and also have representation on a council of advice. All • now recognised the advantage of having the large estates divided. All now had an opportunity of acquiring land, and Increased set--tlement would soon make the railways give revenue back to the State.. At yjresent here were 7000 people employed on the railways, and he hoped in 20 years' time there would be 40,----000. The railways were a splendid, asset. That tlie indebtedness .of the colony was forty millions Was spoken despairingly of by some people, but he contended that it was a very small thing compared with the assets of the colony. The exports from the colony, this year would total thirteen millions, and this was a true value, a_ the Customs officers saw that no fictitious values were put on.

Other toasts followed, and s'cmgs were given by Mr Ward' and Several otthers. The party broke up about 11 o'clock, when Mr Ward left by train for Auckland.