ROADING THE BACK BLOCKS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14956, 1 May 1914, Page 9

ROADING THE BACK BLOCKS.

M"R FRASER AT TONGAROA

(SPECIAL TO ''THE MIES?.")

PONGAROA, This Day., The Hen. W. Fraser, Minister of Public Works, accompanied by Messrs Sykes and Escott." M.P. ; s, Mr C. W. Jones (president, of iho Wellington Chamber of Commerce), and Mr J. Mcintosh (vice-president) arrived hero last night via Euetahuna. 'iho Minister is making a tour of the backblocks ia accordance with a promise mado when he visited tho district last year in connexion with tho proposed railway to the East Coast.

Mr Fra-scr had a hearty reception, and was banqueted by the Masterton and YVaipukurau Railway League. The Ministers gioat interest, in trie backbioeiis v«'as euiogiiou t>y several speakers. Mr Fraser, in returning thanks, referred to the necessity tor good metalled roads from tho backblocko to tho railway iines, and indicated that he would make provision on the Estimates for metalling the roads leading to Dannevirke, Eketahuna, and Pahiatua. .»ew Zealand securities were nov,-, ho said, taken up by speculators. He comtrastcd this with the short-dated loans of the previous Government n_ich were taken up by specutalors. He commended the Prime Minister's proposal for railing special loans lor roading the backblocks, and said he thought it would be a good thing if surh a loan v,c:e raised as there were plenty of applications for money. The Minister leaves, im Dannevirke to-morrow.