THE MOKAU BRIDGE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 2516, 20 December 1927, Page 5

THE MOKAU BRIDGE.

OFFICIAL OPENING ON SATURDAY. LINKING UP THE MAIN HIGHWAY. Last Saturday was a red-letter day in the history of road connection and transport in the North Island, when the Mokau bridge, which has been in course of construction for the last two years, was officially opened by tho Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. J. G Coates, assisted by the Minister of Public Works, Hon. K. S. Williams. The old antiquated ferry lias now been discarded for a modern bridge, which has been built under difficult conditions owing to the silt at the bottom of the river continually shifting. The bridge has been a dream to many of the "settler's in the district; the old ferry, useful though it lias been, has been the bugbear of motorists between Te Kuiti and New Plymouth. The dream lias been realised, and the bridge completed, and the final link in the Main Highway between Wellington and Auckland forgccl. There was a large gathering at the ceremony, the local bodies and associations represented, in addition to the Ministerial party, being the Awakino and Mokau Settlers’ Association, tlie Te Kuiti, Taranaki, Waitara, Stratford and Waitara Chambers of Commerce, the Taranaki Automobile Association, the New Plymouth Borough Council, the Waitomo, Clifton, Taranaki, and IngCewocd Oolinty Councils. With the Ministerial party were Mr J. C. Rolleston, M.P., and Mrs Rolleston, Messrs O. E. Bellringer and C. E. Walters, M.’slP. The Ministerial party was met by Mr L. R. Jones and Mrs Jones and members of the Settlers’ Association, and taken to the centre of the bridge, where the ceremony took place. Mr Jones welcomed the visitors and stated that the occasion-was one of great importance to the district. For over 30 years the settlers had to use the old ferry, and before that Maori canoes to get across the river. Mr Jones expressed the appreciation of the settlers to the Ministers and members of Parliament who had been responsible for such a fine structure to connect tlie two provinces, paying special tribute to the Mr C'oates when Minister of Public Works, for the important part lie had taken in providing such a an important connecting! link.. Mr Coates, in replying, gave some interesting details in connection with the bridge. He stated that the original estimate for the work was £40,000, but tho actual cost had been £34,000. The bridge had been built by day labour under the supervision of the Public Works Department. It had been designed in the head office and carried out under the direction of Mr T. M. Ball, district engineer, and Mr R. B. Townley, local engineer. All the men employed had been most enthusiastic in their work, and tin's was largely due to the tact of the foreman, Mr A. G. Sampson. The work was a credit to all concerned and equal to anything of its kind in other parts of the world. The Hon. K. S. Williams, Minister of Public. Works, added his congratulations to the people of the district and tlie representatives of both provinces, because he could easily recognise the need for the bridge and tlie chan fled conditions, though he lmd never been in the district before, and lie was pleased that he had been able to accept the invitation of tlieir member (Mr Rolleston). Representations had been made to him and lie intended to come as early as he could in the New Year and look into the question of side roads as feeders to the main roads. The work of the bridge construction appeared to have been exceedingly well done by the Public Works Department. The men throughout New Zealand were only too anxious to render good service to those who employed them, namely, the public. He wished long life to the bridge and success to both provinces.

The Prime Minister then called on Mrs Williams to cut the tape, which she did amidst applause, and the Prime Minister declared the bridge officially open. Enthusiastic cheers for Mrs Williams, the Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works concluded the first- part of the programme. THE LUNCHEON. After the ceremony at the Bridge, the Ministerial party and visitors from Taranaki and elsewhere were entertained at luncheon in the Awakino Hall. Mr L. R. Jones, chairman of the Wai-. tomo County Council, was in the chair, and with him were seated the Prime Minister, tlie Minister of Public Works and Mrs Williams, Mr and Mrs J. G. Rolleston, Mr Walters, M.P. for Stratford, Mr Bellinger, M.P. for Taranaki, and Mr Foreman, chairman of the Clifton County Council. The first toast, that of “The Parliament of New Zealand,” was propsed by the chairman, who stated that the function that day was one of great importance to the residents of the district, and one that they had been looking forward to for many years. They now had a first-class road and bridge, and had to thank members of Parliament for this. Air Jones referred to the good work the present Parliament had done in bringing down the petrol tax, which was going to be a big relief to the settlers in making the users of the roads pay their fair share towards maintenance.

On rising to reply, Mr Coates said that there were others present who were quite as capable of replying to the toast as himself- Amongst those was Mr Rolleston, who was one of the most persistent members in the Ho 1 !so when it came to any matter concerning Te Kuiti and his electorate. “In fact, Mr Rolles'ton is so persistent on any matter in which tlie interests of Te Ivuiti are concerned that I sometimes wish he stayed at home,” jocularly remarked Mr C'oates. Ho added that when Mr Rolleston took any matter up he stuck to it, and went into every detail. The Prime Minister also referred to the keen interest that Mrs Rolleston took in the Waitomo electorate. Referring to the function that had taken place in the earlier part of tho day, Mr Coates said that tho opening of the bridge was only one

step in tho development that is to take place in the future. Some people have said that he and his Government had gone back on the farmers. The man on the land had been througlh a very anxious time, but the remedy for his troubles would not be found in hasty legislation. He was a farmer himself and understood the many difficulties they had to face. The prosperity of this Dominion depended upon its export trade, and in considering the position of the farmer we had to take into consideration the p/csit ; on of the consumer overseas. When the war started nearly the whole of Britain’s industries had to be transformed to manufacture munitions and other things to carry on the war. The result was that other countries absorbed a considerable amount of the trade Britain formerly held. When the war was over these industries had again to be transformed, and this has. led to a dislocation of trade. Britain, however, is now making a good recovery, and her trade returns are improving every year. The result of this will be reflected in this and other Dominions. Britain lia.s emerged from the war a freer and a better nation than she ever was before. There was no need for pessimism in New Zealand at the present time. Britain was in a better position to receive our export produce. Wc have had a wave of depression, but in every direction the position was improving. The prices for wool are good, as also those for lambs, while dairy produce is at satisfactory prices The final solution of the many problems we have had to. face lies with the people themselves in hard work and the practice of economy wherever possible. THE COUNTRY’S FINANCE. Referring to the financial position of the Dominion, the Prime Miir’ster stated that the people were told that the country was going back at the rate of ten million pounds a year. To this he gave an emphatic denial. The country must have money for development, but during the, past year the Government had reduced borrowing by eleven and a-half million pounds to six and a-half million pounds. The credit of New Zealand stands higher to-day than it does with any of the other Dominions. Since the present Government lias been in power the credit of the country had improved. TOWN AND COUNTRY. “I presume I am speaking to rural workers to-day,” said Mr Coates, “and I want to state that the cities are not against v<ti in any way. It is realised that the prosperity of all depends upon the prosperity of the farmer, and the people in the large towns realise the necessity of keeping tb.e primary industries in a sound condition.” The speaker went on to state that the people in the cities must be considered. It was absurd to talk about free trade in this country. New Zealand has a policy of partial protection, and under this has built up valuable secondary industries and it would be nothing less than suicidal to wreck these by free trade. There are thousands of people dependent upon these secondary industries, and if these are killed it would be a bad day for the whole country. RURAL CREDITS. The Prime Minister stated that one of the best measures for the farmer was the Rural Intermediate Credits Bill, which when put into operation would enable farmers to obtain money at short terms of from two to five years at current rate of interest. Instead of borrowing money at 8 or 9 per cent, as in tho past, farmers under this Act would he enabled to obtain the same accommodation at something like 6 pm* cent. Mr Coates said that one of bis last acts before leaving! Wellington was to initial tho regulations of the new Act, which would be passed at a Cabinet to be held on Wednesday next. The scheme had been successful elsewhere and he felt sure that Parliament had passed a measure that would be made use of by tho farmer from one end of the Dominion to the other. THE PETROL TAX. “Quite a lot hius been said about the petrol tax,’ said Mr Coates, “but the Government was forced into this measure to meet the heavy cost of road maintenance, which was increasing every year by the motor traffic.” He went on to state that the cost of this maintenance in 1924 was £SO a mile; in 1925 it had gone up to £73; and in 1920 was £lll. Last year tho demands of the Main Highways for maintenance amounted to £185,000; this year it totalled £276,000. The money “for this work had to be found and the only way was to tax the motorist. Taxes throughout the country had doubled in 20 years, but the settlers could not afford to pay any more. Tho total value of the roads in the Dominion was £15,000,000. Tho interest on this amounted to £750.000 a year, and the maintenaee charges were £1.000,000 annually. By placing a tax of 4d a gallon on petrol, it was hoped that what cost the settler £SO a mile before for road maintenance wo .lid in future only cost £25.

Mr Coates continued by stating that it had been said that the present Government had achieved nothing, but since 1922 the s.im of £8,500,000 had been paid! off Avar debts. This in itself Avas something to its credit. “The Government’s opponents say that the Dominion’s credit Avill suffer if the party remains in office, but since the present Administration has been in office the standing of Neiv Zealand in the financial market has steadily improved,” stated the speaker. Mr Coates Avas loudly applauded on resuming his seat.

The Minister of Public Works also replied to the toast. He said that if members of Parliament spent more time in visiting the different districts instead of spending so much timo in Wellington, much better results AA’ould be obtained. Such a method AVould enable them to become more conversant Avithi the needs of the country, and they AA’ould be in a position to deal Avith all matters more expeditiously Avhen assembled in 'Wellington. He had had a long personal experience of Avhat th c people in the backblocks had to contend ivith, and he Avas doing! his best Avith the money at bis disposal to help every man on

the land to acquire what he was justly entitled to—proper access to his property. It had been the custom in the past to allocate a certain sum. for each district, but since he had taken over the portfolio of Public Works he had decided to keep £50,000 back to meet urgent cases, and this amount woidd be allocated when such cases came under his notice.

“Tim Public Works Department” was proposed by Mr C. H. Weston, who said that it was a proud day for the chamber, because years ago they had seen the importance of this main highway, and ever since they had worked hard in furtherance of their plan. They were now out of work but could assure the settlers that they would continue to help the backbloc-k settlers . He paid a tribute to the work of Mr Ball, who, he said, had a great future as a public man. He could make peace between cantankerous local bodies and build railways. The success of the bridge was largely due to him, and if the Public Works Department carried out all its work as it had this, the country would be happy and prosperous. The work had been an enormous undertaking, but it had been carried out to the end. , » WORKERS’ KEEN INTEREST. Mr Ball expressed thanks for the kindly references made to the department. to himself and the men. He had the plans and! had also a. splendid man on the spot in Mr Townley, and as he thQ.iglit the people of the district should, build the bridge, he had chosen as foreman Mr Sampson, who lived not far from the bridge. He could not have made a better choice, as Mr Sampson had the interest of the bridge at heart' It was His own bridge. All these on the job took an interest in the work, and though there were difficulties to overcome there was no spirit of criticsm. The toast of “Local Bodies” was proposed by Mr J. C. Rolleston, M.P., who said that the peop’e of New Zealand wer e lucky in the men who took office on local bodies, however large or small they may be. It was only when one become a member of Parliament did one realise the debt of gratitude the community owed to tlieso men. In his own electorate there were four county councils, and he knew the keen interest each member of these bodies took in their respective districts. Mr Rolleston then dealt in a humorous strain with the opening of the bridge, which was a link binding the two commercial centres—Te Kuiti and Waitarn.

Tho response was by Mr Foreman, chairman of the Clifton County Ccuiv cl. Mr Foreman -‘said that the work of local bodies was no easy task at any time, but with the motor traffic, it was becoming increasingly difficult. Rates were increasing every year owing to the thousands of cars, including service cars, that were using the arterial roads. In the speaker’s opinion th e only way to keep these roads up to the required standard was by the petrol tax. It was not fair to ask the settlers to mortgage their farms for 15 to 20 years to keep these main roads up to the reqirrecl standard. Tho money for these roads should eoiiio from general taxation over the whole country. Secondary roads however, were in a different position. They are used solely by local residents, and they should provide the money for these.

The toasts of “Commercial Interests” was proposed by Mr R. Boddy, who stated that the farmers must have the help of the business community. Tiie interests of the two were identical and one could not thrive without the other. They had a community cf interests which must be used for the general benefit of the wlio'e Dominion. Refeiring to the occasion of the gathering. Mr Bcddy stated that in 1922 the settlers had met Mr Coates in the same room to discriss the Mokau bridge, and a policy had then been laid down by Mr Coates, who was then Minister of Public Works, both in regard to the road and the bridge. That policy had been adhered to in every respect, and carried out to date. In the speaker’s opinion botli should be known as the “Coates Bridge” and the “Coates Road.”

The response was by Mr S. Craig, president of the Te Kuiti Chamber of Commerce, who expressed appreciation of the Premier’s remarks that an effort was being made to draw the fanning interests and the commercial interests closer together. The toast of Tli© Mokau and Awnkino Settlers’ Association was proposed by Mr Bellringer, M.P., and responded to by Mr Northern.