IDA VALLEY" IRRIGATION

Evening Star, Issue 15281, 5 September 1913, Page 1

IDA VALLEY" IRRIGATION

A GOOD SCHEME. SF.TTLERS MAY GET CONCESSION. [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON. September 5. Reference was made in the House of Representatives at midnight yesterday in irrigation in Central Ot-ago. The question was brought into prominence by the motion of the Prime Minister that the Irrigation and Water Supply Rill lie read a. second time. He explained that it proposed to enable, the Goveriiment to raise £IOO.OOO for irrigation in Central Otago and other arid districts, instead of making annual grants, as in the past. Mr Wilford asked the Prime Minister if any representations had been made to him as to the advisability of continuing th<: work started by the, Ward Ministry. Ho wanted to know if the expenditure would be, justified, and whether the Government should seriously consider further prosecution of the work. He knew nothing of the district, but had been asked to put these questions. A SATISFACTORY REPLY. The Hon. W. Eraser said the matter came under the control of the Public Works Department. He had no hesitation in ex pressing the opinion that the money which had been sjxmt would bo productive of go<xl. It was perfectly true that the work was .not yet completed, but he hoped to have it completed next year. A dam was being constructed to conserve the water. It was also true that some of the farmers about there had lately been complaining with rogard to the scheme a 6 originally prepared (and which they agreed to accept on condition that they paid a certain price, for water), that they had made a mistake in agreeing to pay too high a prioe. Tho whole question was what these people would have to pay for water. Ho had come to the conclusion that it would lx>, well to reconsider the, whole tiling. l*hero was no object in placing restrictive conditions on the settlers. He. did not want, to do that. He. was sure that the House did not want to do it— (hear, hear) —but as the water could not be supplied for at least a year, there would he ample time, to have the whole- thing reconsidered. He had no hesitation in saying that the money spent there would not T>e wasted. He had no apprehension that a better return could be obtained by taking the water down to;the Manuheriki'a Valley. Mr Scott said he was very pleased to have heard the Minister's statement. There was no doubt as to irrigation proving _ payable. He believed that the Mamihenkia scheme would prove even more profitable, lire introduction of the Bill showed- that the Government were in earnest about irrigation. Mr Okey also supported the Bill, which was ucad a second time.