THE PREMIER IN AUCKLAND.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 157, 27 March 1908, Page 8

THE PREMIER IN AUCKLAND.

DEPUTATIONS. AUCKLAND RAILWAYS LEACUE. THE'MAIN TRUNK AND OTHER LINES.. (BT TEI.EGKA I'll—l'llESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, March 26. A .deputation, consisting of nearly one hundred members of tho Auckland. Railways League, waited upoii the Prime Minister today to urgo tho claims of tho provincial railways. Mr. G. L. Peacockc, touching on tho Main Trunk Line, said that they all recognised that tho Government was doing (ill m its power to complete tho eonncction between Auckland and Wellington by tho, end of next , year. Efforts, however, should be, made to hurry on the contractor for tho Makatotc Viaduct. Ho mentioned that, with regard to tho proposed connection of tho main line with Taranaki, there was a suggestion to deviate to a point further South than that originally intended. It was felt here that tho Ongarjiho connection was tho most advantageous. He thought work might be commenced from tho Ongaruhe end as well as from Stratford. Coming to tho North Auckland lino, everyone fully appreciated the efforts of the Government in pushing on this line. Tho non-completion 'of tiro Main Trunk, however, prevented tho Government from spending as nnfch as they otherwise would. Its completion however, was an urgent necessity, for when "tile lino reached Maungaturoto it would become much more profitable. For this reason ho urged that the vote for this lino should be as large as .possible. Referring to tho East Coast Railway, he said that this line would open up large areas which were simply hold back by the lack-of communication.

Sir Joseph Ward said that in the first place ho wanted to say that there could he no doubt that the North Island Main Trunk Line ivould ho carried 7 through in the timo stated by the Government unless there was a very bad winter, which would malco it .impossible for work to be carried on; but even in this : caso the delay would ho a short one. The lin<S should bo connected with Auckland before Christmas next. (Applauso.) There was, £330,000 in course of .expenditure now, and anothor £170,000 would be spent by the Government before .the completion of the railway. An expenditure of £500,000 upon railway construction within this period was unprecedented in New Zealand. Sir Joseph pointed out that they had to make railway appropriations for a great many parts of Now Zealand. One railway work in the North which should be completed—and he had not heard its claims urged that day—was the closing of tho gap between Kawakawa and Hukerenui. Here were two ends of a railway line which were paying, but which would be doing far bettor when completed. One of the disabilities under which , the North had suffered as compared with tho South in railway construction was thaV when Sir 'Julius Vogel's puti'lio .works policy. was in progress the railways in the North woro delayed by the fact that the lines could-not bo made through ii portion of the Native-owned country, but tho Government was doing'its best to overcome the disparity.. Regarding the . rumour) that the.Stratford-Ongaruhe route was to be changed,', ho said .that nothing definito had been, decided. 'The line would ''receive the fullest ' consideration of the Government, which was:doing all in' its'-'power 1 to 'assist those in the' North- to 'obta'ili' facilitics'.wliibh they recognised .jreto required. They would try to treat the country as'a, whole fairly, and there would lie no'"political"'lilies.; .'.••« NATIONAL DEFENCE LEACUE. V ;.' THE pLLOAvi,;PERIL. ' ; -. y _ Replying to a deputation from the National Defonco'-League,, tho Premier said it wns obvious tho real, danger to countries in these southern seas was tho"" Yellow Peril." Australia was interested to a greater extent than' wow Zealand. All classes in the community recognised tho importance, of being ready for any crisis that might arise. Anything tho Government could do to assist the-League would bo done. It was of, first-importance : to tho ooilntry. thati.wo should have a trained body of men ready to take. the.' field at a moment's notico. • The Premier: referred to tho difference between a ,forced militia and one of men coming forward voluntarily to prepare thenlselvos-for; the/defence of'their homes. _ He added that thefe wasa difference of opinion as to-which system" was most do-' sirable, and- calm, dispassionate discussioii of tho question 'was required. ' -v.." ' , BONED BEEF TRADE. ■ DEPUTATION TO SIR J. WARD. . A deputation from the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company interviewed iho Primo /Minister to-daj' on the subject, of • restrictions likely to bo imposed by-tho "British Government on'the importations of boned beef consequent upon tho report by Dr. Buchanan describing boned beef as scrap meat. The deputation, urged , that .New-Zealand' boned beof was- very different, from that sont. from America. It was inspected-before, sh'ipmeni,' was absolutely, healthy, . and. quite' good enough to be sont Home for sausages and polonies. They. suggested tho .New'. Zchla'iid Government should impress on the Iniporial Government tho. valuo of New Zealand methods of inspection. ■ . Tho Prenfier" stated that the Government had sent Homo two officers to help tho High Commissioner ascertain what difficulties' there were in the importation of New Zealand produce into Great Britain. The Board of Trado was aware of tho jnspcction of meat here, aiid familiar with our methods, but it' could net bo expected that inspection, made horo would bo 'accepted by tho' British Government. 'All representations possiblo would, howover, bo mado on tho subjcct. INFANT LIFE PRESERVATION. Tho Premier, replying to "a deputation representing the Independent Political League and Trades and Labour Council, agreed as to the importanco of legislation to preserve infant life, especially in view of the fact that tho birth, rate of New Zealand last year was 28 per cent, below tho amount necessary to keep tho country going. Ho. promised to bring before his colleagues proposals mado for tho establishment of State nurseries and tho regulation of premiums for adoption. Some premiums now paid were regarded by tho doputation as premiums to murder. FRUIT GROWERS. ' ~ Tho Premier, in answer to a deputation of fruit growers,' said ho recognised tho importance of excluding dangerous pests. As far as tho Government was concerned it would not allow any risk to bo run. If tho present restrictions were not sufficient they woro prepared to go further in the direction of tho exclusion of infested fruit. As to the-re-quest that the fruit industry, should .have ..a , representative-in tho Legislative Council, tlio Premier said ho could give no promiso, but ho would give the representations consideration. . . MOTOR LAUNCHES. . A doputation from the Ironworkers' Association asked tho Premier to extend tho timo for receiving tenders for motor launches for tho Defence Department one weejc to enable Now Zealand makers to tender; also to specify engines besides tlioso now stipulated. Tho Premier promised to accede to the request.