PRIME MINISTER'S TOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13625, 19 December 1907, Page 5

PRIME MINISTER'S TOUR.

VISIT TO MARTINBOROUGH. NEW ZEALAND'S RAILWAYS. NO NEW LINES AT PRESENT. [l)Y TKI.KURAI'H.— ASSOCIATION".] Wellington, Wednesday. Thk Prime Minister readied Featherston from Tailiape at 12.30 p.m. to-day, and was driven in a motor car to Martinborough, where ho was met by Mr. Hornsby, member for the district, and the Town Board, and tendered an address of welcome by Mr. Ross, chairman of the town commissioners. Sir Joseph, replying, said that whilst motoring from Featherston he had had the line, of the suggested railway pointed out to him. He was pleased to see the progress that had been made in the revenue, and the increase in the population, which was now Hearing the number necessary for the formation of a borough. Referring to railways, he said that it was a mark of the steady growth of Che country that while he hud been able to grant concessions to the extent of £800,000, the revenue from the railways was about £2,300.000, which showed the remarkable prosperity of the Dominion. It was not brought about by any boom, but by the steady, increasing industry of the people generally.

Representations were made to the Prime Minister urging that a railway should be constructed from Featherston to Martinborough. Mr. Hornsby reminded Sir Joseph that he had promised to have a flying survey made of th« suggested route, which he said presented no engineering difficulties, adding that the residents of the district were prepared to offer a guarantee similar to that under which the Paeroa line had been constructed, by taking up debentures and allowing the Government to take the line over whenever it felt so disposed.

.Sir Joseph, in replying, said that there were 17 different lines now under construction, and demands were being made from all parts of the country for opening new lines. He could only reiterate the statement he had made before, that no new lines could be undertaken at present. The sum of £775,000 was being expended on the 17 lines, of which £350,000 was for the Main Trunk line. When this was completed, we would then get into reasonable limits again for other railway development. He went ou to say that thefinances of the Dominion were in a sound and strong position. year wore money had b.sm expended on public, works than any period for the lust 25 years, with the exception of one year. He mentioned this to show what was being done by the Government. He realised that the linking up of Martiuborough to the railway service would be of great use to the settlers.

Later in the day Sir Joseph was entertained at a banquet, after which he proceeded to Huangarua River, some three miles from the township, where he officially opened the new bridge over the river connecting Martinborough with the roads loading to the East Coast. The structure was christened Hikiwera bridge, by Mrs. John Martin, out of respect to the native tribe of that name. The Prime Minister subsequently visited the Maori meetinghouse, after which he entrained for Wellington.