PREMIER'S AUCKLAND TOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 70, 21 March 1908, Page 3

PREMIER'S AUCKLAND TOUR.

TE POKE AND TAUEAXGA.

(By Telegraph.—Special to Star.)

TAUItA>;-GA, Fridar

leaving Kotorua at eight o'clock this jnorning by motor-car, Sir Joseph Ward •BTOceeded "by way of the Managarewa gorge and the New Te Puke-road to T;niThe heavy rain of the preceding jjjght'jßade some solid running on the jujj-climbiiig portions of the route for the big Daimler car, and on one or two occasions the odds of reaching Te Puke in time for the luncheon arranged there Eeemed on the unfavourable side, but ihe "getting-out-to-push" system, together with the frenzied efforts of 55 horseaywer of engine were victorious in overling all difficulties of the skidding •jariety, -and the thriving settlement of Te Puke was sighted in fair time. a number of deputations had jeen heard, an adjournment was made to the Public Hall, -where a luncheon jjaii been prepared for the Premier. Mr. v Sia" occupied tie chair, and in pro- - 3jßg O Sir Joseph Ward's health, he the opinion that much good ' TfOTld result from the visit. ' Jhe Premier, in responding, said that ie had gone over the proposed railway lottie, and he- had been pleased at the opportunity to become acquainted perEoiiny with the locality. By next (jristmas he believed, on the best information, that the North Island Main FTrnnk line would be open, for traffic, and a large sum of money would then ■be available for expenditure on other jjnes. . Nineteen lines were at present construction, and last year alone £2,700,000 was expended on railways, joais and bridges. He was especially pleased to visit Te Puke, and its memories, would be sweet to him. AEEIVAL AT TAURAHGA. The journey to Tauranga of eighteen miles was covered in about two hours, including a stoppage, -while all hands, including Sir Joseph, put their shoulders to the wheel, which the slippery road had coquetted into the bank. Sir Joseph Ward -was received at Tauranga by the leading citizens. After addressing the cadets, who were paraded, the Premier proceeded to the Town Hall, where a larfe gathering welcomed him, the greetings of Tauranga being extended by the £cv. Canon Joraan ( Mayor). Mr. Davideon (chairman of the County Council) and the Key. Mr. Barnett (chairman of tie local Chamber of Commerce) also ■welcomed the Premier on behalf of their respective bodies. Sir Joseph Ward warmly acknowledged ihe appreciative remarks respecting bis visit to Tauranga, and the evident deare oi the town to make him welcome. Folloiving this reception, the Premier heard a number of matters affecting local people, Mr. Herries, M.P. for the district, introducing the deputations. Canon Jordan mentioned that the town -was desirous of carrying out a rater supply scheme, and the assistance oi the Government was asked. An estimate pi £14,000 had been made in connection .wth the scheme. The Premier replied that the very tallest particulars would have to be supplied prior to any assistance from the Government, and these particulars were jrojnised toy the Canon. Tie chairman of the County Council ironght up the matter of a loan of £3000 to the Council "from the Government for ■ ; the lebnilriivg of the Wairoa bridge. To this request, the Premier replied that the Government were always desirous of assisting local bodies in their undertakings where reasonable and possible, ■andpromised to have the matter brought tip ior consideration.

a Another question introduced was the 'completion of the Kaimai-road, which passes through, the llangatotara block, ' slid i 3 the nearest route between the Bay of Plenty and the Waikito. Increased naiketing facilities would result, it wae urged, while local people would be able to catch the train to Auckland, and complete the journey in one day.

Sir Joseph promised that the question eltrald receive every consideration.

A deputation asked that a Harbour Board should be instituted for Tauranga. Mr. Barnett said that, as the harbour ■works Tequired to be done would be-con-siderable, the Government were requested to give to the board a few grants oi Crown land by way of endowment, in -addition to the foreshore rights. Ten tnonsand acres was mentioned by him as a reasonable endowment to open up Sic harbour. When the railway came along, commerce would be facilitated, Md the present great inconvenience Tronld be obviated.

The matter was a very important one. the Premier agreed, and he suggested toafc the committee should set forth definitely what was wanted. Some Har«mr Boards had been endowed with and, and the Government would be prepared to do everything in reason for tte promotion of harbonr facilities in a place lite Taoranga. But careful investigation would be necessary first. -Mr. Barnett considered that the distact could borrow £10,000 for the purjas without raising the rates. He pro.™«a to Biihmit the whole question » the Government.

Jjfr. Sharp, president of the Tauranga ■™wav League, urged that the Gis-tane-East Coast and Tauranga railway ** should be put on the Government Programme. If the line -were decided he asked that a start be made « tile Tauranga end towards Tepuke. section ia question, he contended, fW« he a very payable one, and would a large district in touch with deep

Jfw?" enUer saiA his sympathies were wn them, and when new lines were Mffig considered he would undertake to aitentb received every reasonable

aferin «N r approached the PreoitL t. ?- 6 dlrectlon of opening up some IZZ ' laDds ° f the locality P Sixty *» ° f l««ls were ii afeK 7 *,* Ta,UM ea» m* of it thrown open for settlement. jessed the opinion that present was toward openW J oUld noE »y- The Hon. Mr. cV ™ DoW .conferring on the Thel i stives themselves. . ed Dpr»° • Accl ™atisation Society askfor al^ 531011 to declare a close reason ofsnL POlted S ame tte interests to StteraUy. Sir Joseph proßiised onthT^Sf 8 the De P artment in^bJfl- J °*l dan P resi< Jed over a meet»ien L t pubUc haU in the evenin & HP loud <=heers. KeferlaadbV ttcrease the graduated P°sea tori a "^t 11163 bevoild £40=000 prott«t * Session ' he intended ■•• yo^^ d ? e " the best interests of aZS B *™***- whi <* W as desired ; had for'so many

individual was not attacked, but the insidious growth of a system. The difficulty m this country, young as it was was to find sufficient land for those who -wanted it. Some people held that the Government wanted to nationalise the land of the country, because it was desired to set apart sufficient laud for endowment purposes. In cases where the Government had acquired large estates for settlement purposes, those who at first were opposed to the system commercial people and agricultural people, now thoroughly agreed that it had been a good thing for the country, and where public opinion backed up the Government's action, was it not convincing to landed proprietors that the interests of the community were in the public mmd being best conserved? Apart from the graduated land tax, he defied anyone to show that one iota of increase had been made by the present Government m the matter of taxation. Referring to the native land question, Sir Joseph expressed the opinion that the Government was bound to treat the Maoris from the standpoint of common honesty and common justice in conserving lands for them. This would be achieved, and the residue could be sold or leased to Europeans and would benefit Both races. They did not wish to have landless natives, and they did not want wasting lands. Throughout the address the Premier was warmly applauded, and at its conclusion he was accorded an enthusiastic vote of thanks and confidence. Following the address was a complimentary supper. In the morning the Premier leaves at four o'clock for Opotiki, where be stays over Sunday.