VISIT OF MR. E NEWMAN M. P.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5489, 30 March 1910, Page 3

VISIT OF MR. E NEWMAN M. P.

DISTRICT'S REQUIREMENTS

BAILWAY AN f) (FREEZING WORKS

SETTLEMENT OF NATIVE

LANDS.

>frE Newman, Parliamentary re pres'n'ativo of the Manawatu electorate, who has been visiting Auck land, Rotorua, and Thames, arrived here by the Waiotahi on Good Friday morning and stayed at tbe Star Hottl During the afternoon he was waited upon by Mr J. C. Adams (DeputyMayor) and Mr C. W. Ludwig (a member of the Borough Council) Subsequently Mr Newman and the two members of the Boroogh Council already mentioned went for a drive in tbe country. The Government Fruit Toting Station was visited and M. Newman expressed himself us vwK pleased with the excpllent results which have already been achieved He #tfd tbe Station amply demonstrated that the soil of tbe Tauranga distiict was admirably adapted for frhft-growing. It also furnished an object lesson to outside re that semi- - tropical fruits thrived here as well as those grown in colder climates. Once the capabilities of the district are fully realised by fruit-growers and railway communication established, he said, there was every reason to believe that the fruit industry would become a very important one. Mr Newman considered the Station would lose half its . usefulness, however, unless tbe settlers took a lively interest in it and observed the results of the experiments that are tried there by the State After completing the inspection of tbe Frpit Testing Station the party drore out into the country, and Mr Newman had a look over some of the gbeeo and cattle in the district. As a practical farmer engaged in the industry for over a quarter of a century he said to a Times representative that the greater portion of the country that he saw could, under ordinary skilled management, be most successfully ntlised for both cattle and sheep fanning, especially the former. He observed that the maize crops were very good and thought the land was veil adapted for raising rape and root crops, which are required to top off lambs for export He expressed tbe opinion that the most argent need of the district, next to that of tbe rail way, is freezing works even if they be on a imall scale Mr Newman pointed oat that tbe difficulties of lightering fn&en meat here would be very much less than those encountered in other ports, such as Wanganai, which is an open roadstead, in spite of which the shipping of frozen meat has gono on without any mishap since the freezing wjrks were opened many years ago. ' Touching on railway matters Mr Newman said he thought that it was the intention of tbe Government to proceed with the railway eastward from Taaranga with rs little delay as possible, and be believed that the necessity for this railway was recognised by Members of Pailiament on both rides of tbVHouse. He was prepared toioyaßjaid his friend, Mr Henries, in securing the furtherance of railway ooristruetkm in this part of the North Island.

Mr Newman said he noticed that the aaiive Itad question was obviously ■n acute one here. Speaking from bis former knowledge of the district, god the information that he had received on the present trip, he might be pardoned for saying so, without making Party capital out of it, that he thought the people of the Bay of Plenty had not much to thank the Government for in this respect. He held that in view of the enormous increase of tin Dominion's debt the only safe couive open is a rapid development of our unimproved country with the conse quent increase of our exports. In the House last session Mr Newman gave is bis opinion that the settlement of the native laws should be proceeded with as speedily as the surveyors could carry out the subdivisions, and that the iridividualuation of the natives' titles could be settled afterwards. Of course, he said, the Maoris must have sufficient land conserved to them, but it is not "in the interests of the Europeans, thut the former should holl large areas of land. It must be very disappointing for si yone who cares for the welfare of the Tauranga district to see it laggiog behind, partly no doubt on account of lack of railway access, bu% principally, on account of the absurd position which now exists by which weh a large area of native- owned land » tied up against European settltme it. He would like .to say that the Tun nogs representative, Mr Herries, was regarded aa the greatest authority on native affairs on the Opposition side of the House. List session marked Mr Newmans entry into New Zealand politics. He it t> Scotchman by birth, and came out to the Katikati settlement ab'.ut 1880, where he resided with General T. H Btoddart, and saw a good deal of Ttnranga and district in those days. Subsequently he went to Hawke's Bay, ■tod from there to Rangitikei, where he took up an improved bush property in the Turakina valley. This land he improved, and ultimately cut it up into /mill farms, and now lives a few miles ouiof Harton, the principal town in the Manawatu electorate. He was very glad to be able to visit Tauranga again and meet some of his old friends. He expressed the opinion that the day war not far distant when the town of Tatnanga would be much larger and ttore prosperous than it is at present, possessing as it does the finest climate U» New Zealand, and a large area of good hind. Further, there is no more picturesque town in New Zealand, nor one more suited to those who desire t * reside in thoroughly healthy and enjoyable surroundings. Mr Newman «aid he had heard excellent reports as to the quality of the soil in the Te Puke district, which he hoped to inspect on the following day, Saturday, on his "ay from Tauranga to Botorua In conclusion Mr Newman said be hoped to visit the district again before long and felt very pleased at the courtesy extended to him on the present occa•ion by the Deputy-Mayor, O. Adams, and his colleague, Cr. Lndwig. Mr Newman took bis departure for Botorua, via Te Puke, on Satuidiy merning. *