POST-WAR PROBLEMS

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17661, 13 December 1917, Page 4

POST-WAR PROBLEMS

GOVERNMENT’S PLANS MATURED

VIGOROUS PUBLIC WORKS

POLICY.

[Per Press Association.]

WHAKATANE, December 12.

The new freezing works at Whakatono were opened yesterday by the ‘Prime Minister, in the presence of a largo gathering, including the Hons W. Fraser, W. H.. Herries, W. D. S. MacDonald, A. T- Ngata and Sir .James Carroll. Spodking at a dinner in tho evening Mr Massey said the Government was taking measures to prepare for peace. Most of the plans were matured, and if peace was declared to-morrow the New Zealand troops could begin demobilising at once. Public works would immediately absorb twelve thousand men. The Government must pursue a vigorous public works policy. It was intended to push on development on a large scale. Mr Massey predicted a big future for Whakatane. The Hon W. H. Herries, referring to Urcwera, .said the Government had now purchased 230,000 acres of . Native lands there, and more was still being acquired. They had now purchased interests in all the main accessible blocks.