MR. MASSEY'S TOUR.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13713, 21 April 1910, Page 8

MR. MASSEY'S TOUR.

SOME OF HIS IMPRJSteSIONS.

(SPECIAL TO "THB PEESS.") DUNEDIX, April 20. Mr W. F. Massey, M.P., Leader of the Opposition, returned, to Dunedin last evening, after a rapid tour through Otago Central, and leaves for the North to-morrow, en route for "Wellington, -which lie expects to reach in about a fortnight's time. Hβ stayed in Balclutha oil Friday evening, and next day came beck to Milton and went on to Lawrence, being accompanied so far by Mr James Allen. M.P. Hβ wan thru joined by Mr R. Soott, M.P., who was _hw companion for the remainder of ihc* journey. Mr Massey proceeded to Roxburgh, on Saturday, and stayed there over Suncay, and went on to Alexandra ami Cfvde- on Monday, returning to Dunedin by the Otago Central line. Mr Massey's mission was of a political nature, but he abstained from giving iiddresses anywhere. Hus reception -was cordial, and ho expresses himself as satisfied with the result of his mission. Speaking of the Lawrence-Roxburgh railway, Mr Massey said he could express no opinion as to whether it was right or wrong to start the line, but now that £70,000 or £80,000 had been expended on earthworks and so forth, it -would bo simply foliy to leave the line in its present state. Something should be done to enable it to earn even a small return for the outlay which had been incurred. What had happened, in connection with this piece of railway was one of the woret instances of hunglinz and mismanagement he had ever seen, and -was « monument to the incapacity of those •who -were responsible lor what hud taken place. He was disappointed with the appearance of Central Otago as compared with -whet it was on the cecasion of his last visit. It had evidently 6uilertd severely from the cycle of dry seasons which had been experienced, and in some places there was hardly a sign of vegetation left. The soil was good, and only wanted water. He thought a great deal more should be done in the way of tree-planting, with the object not only of providing dicker, but of increasing the raiufall. He believed ifc would pay to plant trees by tho thousand, and the necessary encouragement should be given by the Government, as most of the lend was the property of tho Crown. Trees grew particularly ivcH, and if the country -was to-do any , gcod, -wholesale planting should be taken in hand. He noticed that in places the original grasses had practically died out, and he thought experiments shonld bo made by sur-face-sowing with danthonia, or some of the grasses which had proved successful in pkrts of the North Island. There was a lot of good country, but it 'wanted water, trees, and grasses, suitable to the soil. Closer settlement should be encouraged wherever possible, and better tenure provided than tho ordinary pastoral lease, which, though right enough under certain conditions, did not make for the permanent improvements which -were required. He was greatly pleased with the appearance of.'tho-orchards about Roxburgh end other places, jind much impressed with the suitability of the soil and climate for fruit-growing purposes.

Mr W. F. Massey, Loader of the Opposition, will arrive «t Timaru from tho Sduth to-day by the first express* •nd will go on by the second express to Asliburton. • .