PREMIER AT ROTORUA

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 161, 8 June 1929, Page 4

PREMIER AT ROTORUA

PROMISE OF.NEW BUILDINGS. RAILWAY POLICY DEFENDED. Per Press Association. ROTORUA, June 7. The Premier (Sir Joseph Ward) accompanied by his secretary (Mr C. A. Jeffrey) arrived at Rotorua to-night. The Mayor (Mr T. Jackson) and councillors welcomed the party on the platform. Long before eight o’clock, the Majestic Theatre was crowded to the doors in spite of the pouring rain and queues flowed over into the street. On entering, Sir Joseph was accorded a tremendous reception. The Mayor said that Sir Joseph needed no introduction, nor yet the audience an admonition to give him a courteous hearing. . ' The Premier justified the action of the Government in stopping the ltotorua-Taupo railway. The grounds on which the action was taken were that that railway could not pay. The conditions since the last commission gave a report that completely changed. Motor transport had grown to be a formidable competitor of the railways. He would tell the audience to their faces how his reasons were arrived at after mature consultation with his colleagues. The line should never have been started and would never be started again. The speaker alluded to the inconclusiveness of the commission’s report, to which one of the members, Mr Monro, did not assent in material points. In place of tho railway, a bitumen road to Taupe would be constructed. The Administration wanted money to make ltotorua the tourist centre of the Dominion by erecting buildings of a permanent and utilitarian character. Tho past Administration had neglected the Tourist Department, but tho speaker would not neglect it. Funds would be provided to carry out the reconstruction of the Pavilion and the Blue baths. , The Public Works Department had almost completed plans tor this work, which would be started as soon as the plans were available. They would be substantial structures, equal to any others in the world, and the wmtci or discontent in Rotorua would be turned to glorious summer. (Applause). The last Government had let the buildings fall into the last stage of decrepitude, but tho United Government would renew the glory and prestige of Rotorua. A new sanatorium would bo erected that would be equal to the task of providing curative treatment for those in need of it. The tourist roads would all bo attended to and £7OOO would be devoted to tho Wairoa Road immediately. . The railway, policy of the Administration, which centred on the completion of the main lines and the total cessation of short line building, tv as defended. Sir Joseph also said that, it necessary, some short lines in existence would be stopped. The Prime Minister outlined his land policy as indicated in his Auckland speech and also other social matters. , At the conclusion, a hearty vote of thanks and confidence was passed by acclamation.