ROADING THE BACKBLOCKS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 149, 24 June 1908, Page 9

ROADING THE BACKBLOCKS.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. Having travelled extensively in the Par North during the recess, the Premier should be in a good 'position to judge what the prospects of the country are likely to be in that part of the Dominion. '"There are great developments there," he said to a reporter, "settlement having got right ahead of the facilities for transportation. For those going on the land tinder the Government's proposals, which provide for a million of money being expended on backblocks' roads and tracks during the next five years, that difficulty will, I .hope, he largely decreased." On all sides, ■Hie added, the proposals of the Government under this heading were regarded with approval; in fact, as lutelv neeessarv. "In my opinion," said Sir Joseph, "it'is being done at the right time, especially having regard to the immense amount of country that is being cleared in what a few short years ago was virgin bush. -Railway construction is too slow' and too- expensive in such districts, and it is not right that people who have taken up land outback should be left without the requisite facilities for making a living."