Mr. R. T. Wrathall at Victoria Valley.

Northland Age, Volume IV, Issue 49, 27 July 1908, Page 5

Mr. R. T. Wrathall at Victoria Valley.

(From a Correspondent.) On Wednesday, loth instant, Mr. K. T. Wrathall addressed a meeting of electors in the Victoria Valley schoolroom. Though the notice was a very short one a good number assembled for the purpose of hearing his political views on the woes and wants of the North. He poured forth his introductory remarks in great style and seemed an expert at gathering up his audience and carrying them with him into the root of his subjects. He declared himself a supporter of the present Government and said that he was contesting the Bay seat in the interests of the gumdigging community who had requisitioned him to stand. Mr. Wrathall appears to bo exceptionally well versed on the subjeot of the kauri gum industry and it was interesting to listen to his* explanation of why the government Bhould do something to improve the conditions of the digger and the ways and moans of his livelihood. He advocates tho draining of the Kaitaia, Awanui, Waiharara and Houhora gum swamps for the purpose of lengthening the life of the industry and so enabling the diggers to carry on their present means of existence for a few more years. He clearly convinced his listeners through his practical suggestions that the government should assist, seeing how many are engaged on the fiolds, further stating the many benefits that would come about as a result of the improved conditions of the digger ; the settlers would then enjoy greater prosperity also, as producers of food stuffs, for the diggers were great consumers and absolutely not producers.

Mr. Wrathall is a strong advocate of railways, and thinks that as the Main Trunk will be completed shortly, between Wellington and Auckland, the gaps between Maungatoroto, Wbangarei and Kawakawa should be immediately pushed through, and further he hopes that the line will be continued on through the North to Awanui, with connecting lines to each port.

Ho is opposed to the present Bystem of communism of Native Land and advocates individualising with compulsory improvement conditions; is in favour of the natives being allowed to dispose of their surplus areas as they wish in the best market and so to allow them to concentrate their interests.

Mr. Wrathall holds that the government should take over the main arterial road with also its greatest used deviations, and that tho Counties should only be called upon to keep in repair the byroads after the Eoads Department has completed the formation, as the future of the far north for the next few years depends entirely upon the condition of the roads and our means of transit. As to the settlement of Crown Lands he is in favour of the Optional System (lease or purchase as the applicant wishes) and thinks that the surveyed roads should be pushed through at once into the new blocks and that no land should be thrown

open for selection until tho main road into it is completed and fit for vehicular traffic. He also thinks that in the interests of settlement the government should clear and grass fifteen chains on either side of the road and load each section with the improvements; settlers could then build 11(11 jit hnanent homes the moment they woi u 1 successful at the bal- ! lot, instead of lfvjng under make-shift conditions for tfyqijrstt two years,

Mr. Wrathall touched on several other political questions of minor importance (speaking for over an hour) and left those present very favourably impressed. This is his seoond speech, and if he continues as he lias started it will be a treat to hear him at the end of the campaign. He is young, and very energetic, and if he meets with success I have every reason to believe that tho electorate will be materially benefited and that he will register a mark in tho history of New Zealand politics.

The questions put were answered straightforwardly and satisfactorily. A vote of thanks to the speaker for his address and also to Mr. Maugham, who occupied the chair, closed the meeting.