MINISTERS ON TOUR.

Evening Star, Issue 12926, 14 April 1908, Page 7

MINISTERS ON TOUR.

THE PRIME MINISTER. [From Our Own Reporter.] LAWRENCE, April 14. After leaving Kaitanjrata for Lawrence yesterday morning the Prime Minister was heartily cheered when the train was passinjr the Benhar brickworks. b On reaching Glenore, Sir Joseph was met by a deputation from tho Greenfield branch of the Farmers' Union, who were opposed to the Clutha River Board handing over the control of their steamer to i the Government, and also to their inclusion m the proposed Clutha-Bruce River Board district. They were strongly opposed to the creation of a harbor at the mouth of the Moryneux River, chiefly on the ground that it could not compete with the Dunedm Harbor Board. The settlers at Tuapeka Mouth and Greenfield hoped that before long they would have a railway either from Balclutha or Clinton, instead of the river service. The deputation also brought under notice the bridgino- of the Waitahuna River at tho Waitahuna Gully endowment, and expressed the hope that the Government would come to the rescue and assist tho local bodies, as -urgent need for the bridge existed. Sir Joseph promised to give the fullest consideration to the matters brought under his notice by the deputation. As to the steamer service, the Government had not come to any decision on the matter, nor would they do so till those more immediately concerned * had given expression to their views. He held out no hope in the meantime of a railwav from Balclutha or elsewhere to Tuapeka "Mouth. There were too many places not so well circumstanced that required a railway that had first to bo taken into account. With a river service, the settlers at Tuapeka Mouth were not so badly off. He would confer with the Minister of Lands in regard to giving an additional grant for bridging the Waitahuna River at the lower end of the Greenfield Settlement. On the arrival of the train at Waitahuna a deputation were in waiting to urge the establishment of telephonic communication between Waitahuna and Lawrence. Sir Joseph, after hearing the deputation at length, said that if the residents would guarantee £lO per annum he would entertain the proposal. Punctual to time the train reached Lawrence, where a large number of the representative citizens of the borough, were assembled. Mr James Allen, M.P.. intradural the mayor (Mr Jas. Robertson) to the Prime Minister, who on alighting from his railway carriage was cheered. The chairman (Mr Jas. K. Simpson) and several other members of the Tuapeka County Council were introduced to Sir Joseph, who was driven to the Victoria Hotel for luncheon. Later on ho visited the Lawrence District High School and addressed the children. At 2.30 o'clock he met a number of deputations at the County Council Chambers. Mr Jas. Allen (at tho request of Mr Jas. Bonnet, member for the district) acting as master of ceremonies. Tho first deputation was from the Tuapeka County Council, the chairman, as spokesman, asking that the Government votes for expenditure in the county be granted at an earlier date than usual, so that any works to be undertaken would be well in hand before the end of March—the end of the financial year. The next matter urged was that tlie Government should not countenance a movement on foot in the Tapanui district for the severance of Tuapeka County, as, if anything, tho areas of counties should be extended rather than curtailed. Sir Joseph Ward said that the Government had no authority until tho Appropriation Bill was passed, late in the session, to pass on votes to local bodies. To get over the difficulty referred to it would be necessary for Parliament to meet earlier m the year, but ho was afraid this would not fall in with the wishes of a greatnumber of the members. Relative to the separation of Tuapeka County, he would see to it that the fullest opportunity was given to those opposed to the movement to place their views on record. Personally ho was against the creation of too many local bodies. A deputation from the Borough Council asked Sir Joseph to place a vote on the Estimates for a now bridge over the sludge channel in Derwcnt street, as the railway embankment had materiallv disturbed the position of the structure." Sir Joseph replied that the Council would have to help themselves, and ho did not think he could hold out a promise of more than a £ to £ subsidy. The next deputation urged that the Government should restore the existing electoral boundaries in the South Island and not give effect to the alterations of the Representation Commissioners, and that three extra seats lie given to the North Island. Mr J. 0. Browne asked for telephone communication between Lawrence and Dunedin. j Mr J. Allen, M.P.. speaking of the I alteration of the boundaries, said that the ; matter was discussed in the lobbies last j session, though not in the House. For j himself, he was in favor of increasing the I representation of the North Island ° and j leaving the South Island as it was, and if i the Government brought iu a Bill to that effect he would support it. The Prime Minister said he would comply with the request for a telephone if he could be assured it would pav. As for the boundaries, if both sides ofthe House agreed to increase the North Island members by three, and let tlio South Island alone, a Bill to that effect might go through, but he was satisfied it would not be acceptable to die House. A deputation from the LawTenee-Rox-burgh Railway League asked that the line should lie pushed on vigorously, the request being supported by Messrs "jeflery, Talboys, and Bennetts.

The Primo Minister said that on account of less expenditure on the North Island Main Trunk line, more money would be available this year for the eighteen other railways now under construction, and Otago would get its- fair share of the money. Tho Government could not push on the Roxburgh line as expeditiously as the residents would like unless they "borrowed a very large sum for public works. The people could rest assured that the line, having been authorised, would be carried on. He thought himself it would have been tatter for the country if it had started one railway at a time ajid finished it in a year or two, instead of carrying on a number of lines at the rate of a few miles a year.

Die social gathering held in the Town Hall in honor of the Prime Minister's visit was attended by a largo number of ladies and gentlemen from all parts of the Tuapeka district. Sir Joseph Ward spoke on Preferential Trade, the Asiatic question, and on tlio many beneficial measures for which his Government were responsible. There was a very good programme of songs and musical selections. THE MINISTER OF LANDS AT TUAPEKA MOUTH. j [From Ot/b Own Reporter.] TUAPEKA MOUTH, April 14. The Hon. R. M'Nab, the first Minister of the Crown to visit Tuapeka Mouth, arrived here last night, accompanied by! Mr G. Laurenson, M.P. for Lvttetton, and Mr James Allen, M.P. Ho received numerous deputations in the schooihouse, the most important of which advocated tho construction of a railway from Balclutha to Tuapeka Mouth, over a distanco of twenty-one miles, through some of tho best agricultural country in the district. Mr P. M'lnerney, of Kononi (ex-chair-man of the Tuapeka County Council), outlined the proposed course "of the railway along the flat by tho river. If, he said the Cfovernment' were to send a fruit expert along they would find that for the expenditure of a comparatively small sum they would have a railway that in its resultant settlement and cultivation of this particular industry would savo a lot of money that was now going out of tho country every year. The district was stuck up also because it could not get dairy factories. Every six miles of it was fit to carry one) but the steamer coidd not take live stock or meet the requirements of the district. Mr E. King said that the river service

was not adequate, because there were months in the year when the boat could not. get up the river. Sometimes stuS sent from Dunedin for transport up the river had to be sent baclc to Waitahuna and carted up the other way. The line would go over level country, and the cost' of construction would be comparatively small, about £6,000 per mile, or £2,000 a mile less than other and far less useful lines. Mr Jaa. Allen said that the Minister of Public Works had recently authorised a flying survey, and the report submitted had been favorable. Settlers would be glad to know that if the Government were introducing an Authorisation Bill for any fresh railways they would receive fair consideration. The land around was all good land, and was in rapid process of being cut up into small sections. The country was growing, and would grow, all the faster with tho prospect of a 'railway, which, ho believed, would pay right from the start.—(Applause). . The Hon. Mr M'Nab said he could not give anything in tho nature of a definite statement in regard to the action he would tako personally in reference to this proposed railway. Ho would submit the matter to Cabinet. It had been decided, as a policy of the Government, that until tho bulk of tho present large lines in course of construction were completed no further lines would be authorised. Their efforts had been concentrated on the completion of the North Island Main Trunk Railway, which would release £300,000 a year for Public Works expenditure in other directions, and it was therefore only a matter of a year or so when the Government would be called upon to determine what now lines were to be constructed. He was very pleased to have been through the district, and would forward their representations to the Minister of Public Works. He recommended tho deputation to seek tho co-operation of tho City of Dunedin, which city should bo interested in the construction of a line which would create traffic to tmd from itself. It was of great benefit to tho members of Parliment when members representing one part of tho Dominion were unanimous in requests made for public works. In that part of the Dominion unanimity as to bow to spend half the money asked for, supposing that was all that could be granted, was very dosirablo. Tho Minister had also brought under his notice the matter of the proposed Harbor Board, tho deputation objecting to the proposed expenditure of the sums of tho Paver Trust on any purpose other than that of the navigation of the river above Balclutha,. This was a matter, said the Minister, which camo within tho province of the Minister of Marine, to whom he would submit tho representations made. A bridge over the Clutha River at Tuapeka Mouth was also advocated, and several other proposed public works. In every instance the Minister gave a patient hearing, and undertook to lay the various matters before the Minister whom they concerned. The Hon. Mr M'Nab and party left at -an _ early hour this morning to "join the Prime Minister's party at Beaumont, whence they proceed to Roxburgh.