COMMERCE TRAIN TRIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 275, 21 November 1929, Page 14

COMMERCE TRAIN TRIP.

N.Z/S OLDEST SETTLEMENT. THROUGH RICH PASTURES. VAST AREAS OF GOOD LAND LYING IDLE. EXCESSIVE COST OF PRODUCTION. (By Telegraph.—Special to " Star.") OKAIHAU, Wednesday. Deeply affected by the death of their comrade, Mr. W. M. Passmore, members of the commerce train party delayed their departure from Kaikohe this morning in order to pay a tribute of respect by following the body from the mortuary to the train, which left for Auckland shortly before nine o'clock. A number of residents, including the chairman of the Town Board, Mr. H. F. Guy, joined in the tribute. Members spent yesterday afternoon quietly by visiting the annual show at Wainmte North, the oldest settlement in New Zealand, which will celebrate in January next the centenary of its settlement by missionaries inspired by Samuel Marsden. This was the forty-second annual show, and proved most interesting to the visitors. As they approached in cars driven by Kaikohe settlers, they were impressed by the richness of the pastures and the impressive charm of the old English settlement. They likewise appreciated the quality of the exhibits, which evidenced the resources of this well-develoned district.

The visitors were driven to Okaihau, and before dinner were taken on a Public Works train over seven miles of the new railway down to the rich Waihou Valley, the journey illustrating the great difficulties in construction caused by extensive slips in soft clay on the hillsides on both sides of the railway. Later, the visitors were entertained at dinner in the Y.M.C.A. hall, the quality of the hospitality being lavish. "We Want Population." Mr. A. Wigmore, president of Okaihau Chamber of Commerce, presided over a large gathering. "We want population here," said the chairman, "and we hope you will help us to get more settlers. After this tour you will be satisfied that it is not the 'poor North' but the 'rich North.' (Hear, hear.) The climate is better than that of any country in the world, yet vast areas of good land are lying idle, growing weeds and rubbish, whereas if we could get sufficient settlers we could produce an enormous quantity of butterfat and other valuable products." (Applause.) Mr. W. McC'aulay, a prominent official of the farmers' organisation, joined in the welcome. "I have always had a jjreat opinion of Northland," he said, "and I still pin my faith to it."

Excessive Economic Costs. Mr. Arthur Shirtcliffe said he had been wondering what the North would get out of the tour. He hoped the chamber would assist in solving the problem of excessive economic costs with which farmers were faced. . "I am almost ashamed," said the speaker, "that farmers when they advertise for a worker offer 30/ per week. Seven-tenths of our farmers cannot pay wages under the present cost of living. What we want to know is how we are .going to have the costs of .production reduced so we can pay.present prices for labour." Waste of Public ]$oney. Mr. E. H. Henderson described the Rangiahua railway as the greatest waste of public money that had ever taken place in the Dominion. He did not know who was responsible, but to ■ this day the matter had never been mentioned in Parliament. He thought it a great pity that its advocates had not stuck to roads. With the money spent on this railway they would have had siifiiicient for a concrete road right to Kaitaia and for all other roads as well. Thanks for the lavish hospitality and appreciation of the attractions of the Far North were expressed by Messrs. Malcolm Stewart, Wendel Phillips, C. M. Croft, R. L. Ziman and C. J. McKenzie. Roading in the North. Mr. C. J. McKeusie, representing the Public Works Department, expressed appreciation of the manner in which railway officials had carried out the tour. Communication was the great need of the North, and the Department was striving to make the greatest provision possible. Last year in this district something like 196 miles of road were formed and 117 miles metalled. Also, 44 miles of highways had been formed and 30 miles metalled. The North had certainly been backward in roads but, with the assistance of the Highways Board, great improvement was now being made.