Settler Left To “Stew In Own Mud”

Northern Advocate, 20 February 1939, Page 5

Settler Left To “Stew In Own Mud”

-MR SEMPLE’S ALLEGATION

“Some of these people would rather do nothing, and so embarrass the ratepayers, in order to discredit the Government,” declared the Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Public Works, when replying to a deputation of settlers who waited on him at Whangarei.

“I am not saying that this is so in this case,” continued the Minister, “but there are men who would leave others to stew in their own mud in order that the Government should not receive credit for getting them out of it.”

The settlers concerned were seeking assistance for the completion of a gap of two miles on the route giving access between the Opuawhanga and Marua roads. . County Council Refused Grant.

“The Whangarei County Council has refused a Government grant of £SOO, because it said that it could not raise the subsidy of £250 to complete the road,” Mr Semple went on. “The council wanted free money for the work, but this could not be acceded to. There are thousands of farmers who have no access at all, and the merits of this job did not call for a free grant.”

The speaker for the deputation, Mr D. J. Jones, and other members complained of the attitude of the county council in not taking advantage of the subsidy, “What can I do with your county council?” asked the Minister.

“I can’t perform an operation to put ideas into its members’ heads. I have gone as far as I can in the matter. “I have to consider those poor devils who have beqn in the mud for 40 years,” concluded Mr Semple. “The merits of this job do not call for more than £SOO. and it is for the settlers concerned to deal with the county council."