PARLIAMENTARY EXPLORERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 172, 20 July 1907, Page 6

PARLIAMENTARY EXPLORERS.

PROGRESS OF MAIN TRUNK LINK (By Telegraph.—Special Reporter.) RAETIHI. Friday. The Parliamentary party arrived at Eangitawa, the southern railhead, at 4.30 p.m., and were driven to Raetihi, where they were entertained at a banquet by the Raetihi Progressive Association. An address of welcome was presented to the visitors. The Hon. Macdonald returned thanks on behalf of the visitors, and declared that Governments of the past had failed to realise the need for the main trunk line, through the fact that so few legislators had visited the interior. Wnat they had seen on the way had been a source of great delight to them, and they realised the great progress made.

John Punch, a settler of the district, referred to the early days in the Waimarino County, and the progress made since. Timber on the Waimarino block was worth £200 per acre, whilst last year the number of sheep increased by thirty per cent. He also put in a claim for a branch line to the main trunk.

The Hon. C. Allan responded to the toast of "The Parliament of New Zealand " on behalf of the Legislative Council. He declared, as one of the recent appointees, that he did not mind the criticism which had been levelled at them. He thought the new councillors had acquitted themselves well.

Mr. T. Mackenzie, replying on behalf of the House of Representatives, said if all the recent nominees to the Council had as much ability as the previous speaker, there would not have been so much complaint. He paid tribute to the industry of those in the back blocks, to whom the wealth and prosperity of the colony was due. The time had arrived when there should be a readjustment of the legislation regarding electoral boundaries, so as to secure a community of interests.

Several other appropriate speeches were delivered by Messrs. Jennings, Remington and Izard, M.HJS-'s, and others.

Mr. Blow ( Under- secretary for Public Works), responding to the toast of his Department, said the first sod of' the main trunk was turned in April, ISBS, and in the twenty-two years which had elapsed, the expenditure totalled £2,142,978, the average annual expenditure working out at £97,405, whilst last year it actually reached £427,000. The railheads were now only 26 miles apart, and in another month would be reduced to 24. Good progress was being made on the northern end, and the laying of the rails on the spiral would be commenced in September or October. At the end of next summer, if the season was a fine one, the distance would be , reduced to under five miles, and by the j end of 1908 he thought the promise of the Minister for Public Works for the I completion of the woTk would be fully realised.

The Hon. Macdonald, proposing the health of the early pioneers, said it was astounding that one-third of the' lands of the country should still be owned by natives, who did not contribute a shilling to the rates. It was not right. Maoris or anyone else should not be allowed to hold such laTge areas of unproductive land. They must utilise their land, or the State should take it from them. He disapproved' of all the j rubbish of humanitarianism to Maoris. The party proceed to Taumarunui tomorrow, and inspect the work.