DOMINION DEVELOPMENT

Evening Star, Issue 16991, 13 March 1919, Page 3

DOMINION DEVELOPMENT

PE ACE-TIME POLITICS. Renewed vigor in political spheres lor the development of the Dominion was hinted at by Sir Frederick Lang, Speaker of the House uf Representatives, m his opening address at the Mauurewa (Auckland) Flower siiow on Saturday. He said that when peace was signed—and it might take some time yet —attention ■would he paid to the development affairs of this countrv. All statesmen ami politicians had. put aside their party foibles to concentrate on winning the war, and the effort had proved a wonderful strength. Ho believed that once normal conditions were restored it would he far better for New Zealand if the parliamentary representatives, instead of lighting or wrangling on party lines, worked together with one amt —-New Zealand’s prosperity and developmen—as they had done in tiic war. For the last several years there were many things not going on as satisfactorily as in the days before the war. but now that peace was restored there would have to bo a resumption of proper activity in she public interest. Our returned men would have to receive foremost consideration in the order of things. The Railway Department would now have to move, for there was a need for increased suburban facilities and services to encourage settlement. It was no use the department waiting for the people before giving the necessary train accommodation ; the right way was to provide the accommodation, and the people would scon proceed to iieo it, and thus help to relieve the congestion of the cities. Another requirement was good roads. With desirable roads settlers would have motor services, and could almost be independent of the railways. Greater vigor was also a necessity in connection with our Public Works Department, and this policy would enable the employment of returned soldiers on a much larger scale than hitherto. Those men desired the best help of the Government.