KAUAERANGA ROAD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32310, 8 September 1943, Page 6

KAUAERANGA ROAD

THAMES R.S.A. SUPPORT RESOLUTION CARRIED HIKUAI SOLDIER SETTLERS At the last meeting of the Thames Returned Services’ Association, the following resolution was passed. It was also decided that a copy of the resolution be sent to Mr J. Thorn, M.P., for transmission to the Minister of Lands:— “That the matter of early provision of better access to the soldier settlement at Hikuai ,be again brought urgently to the notice of the Honourable Ministers of Lands and of Works, and that these Ministers be assured that this Association has noted with approval that their policy is opposed to settling servicemen or any other settlers in the backblocks, but draws their attention especially to the fact that after 20 years these settlers are still without a suitable outlet road, and are still over 36 miles by road from any town, and that a good' outlet road should be given to them, in accordance with the Government’s policy, in priority to any other such work” ' The secretary, in his letter to the Minister, stated:— “In doing this, I would say that my association, and the isolated settlers concerned, have been greatly heartened by the pronouncement of your 'Cabinet Ministers that they, will not tolerate settlement in the backblocks, and they consider that as the settlers in question have for so long suffered backblacks isolation, they should be the first .to be given a better outlook, as they are at present over 36 miles from 'any town. .

“In view of the long-standing isolation and disabilities of these settlers, my association feels that the early provision of a suitable road in this case is a test of the Government’s policy in the matter, 'and sincerity in carrying it out, and therefore asks for an immediate assurance that the few miles of road necessary will be constructed as soon as conditions permit.”