TOURING THE NORTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15252, 15 March 1913, Page 8

TOURING THE NORTH.

MINISTER'S BUSY DAY. RAILWAY NEEDS ADVANCED. READJUSTMENT OF FREIGHTS. [by telegraph.—-special reporter,] Kawakawa, Friday, j The Minister for Railways (tho Hon. W. H. Hemes) and party left Kaikohe early this morning, and after leaving that township by means of the new railway to Otiria, had a fairly busy time. A deputation from the Kauri Timber Company met the Minister at Waipuna with a request for additional tracks and also for a flag station on the station reserve. Mr. Hemes stated that the difficulty regarding rolling stock was that some scheme would have to be devised to keep tho extra tracks in constant employment if they, were granted. He promised to look fully into the matter on his return to Wellington. Position of a Railway Line. Several deputations waited on the Minister at Kawakawa. The first asked that the railway which at present runs through the main street should be removed to the back of the township. • A loop-line at Taumarere for ballast purposes, and a daily train to Whangarei, were also asked for. The.difficulties regarding native lands and rates were again represented here as in most of the other townships visited on the tour. Mr. Hemes said with regard to the first two requests that he would consult his Department and engineers on the matters, and he would have to investigate as to whether they were of immediate necessity. They would, however, receive his full consideration. Regarding native matters, he repeated his previous statements with reference to the individualisation of titles. After dealing with these deputations the party left for Russell, and after cruising by launch around the harbour returned by rail to Kawakawa, where another deputation from the racing club asked that a totalisator permit should be granted for •heir annual meeting. Mr. Berries stated that he would place the matter before the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. H. D. Bell). On the way to Russell a deputation at Opua asked that additional facilities should be provided to the wharf. Mr. Herries replied that the representations placed before him would receive his careful consideration on his return to Wellington, when he would go into the matter with his departmental officers. Native Policy Fixed. At Kawakawa another gathering of Maoris was held, and various matters affecting the natives were placed before Mr. Herries, among them being a request for the establishment of a native college and that Judge Wilson should be appointed to the district. Mr. Herries replied, in a manner similar to that adopted at each of his previous meetings. Regarding native questions, he was, he stated, anxious in every possible way to help on education for the Maoris, and if the Maoris north of Auckland were prepared to give any indication that they would assist, he would inquire into the matter. In the evening Mr. Herries was entertained at a banquet at Kawakawa. Replying to the toast of his health, the Minister, referring to railways, said that before lone he hoped . that a general manager would be appointed. He would probably be a man from the Old Country, and though many would not be in sympathy with this, the result would be that if a first-class man was appointed, no matter where he came from, the move would be a lasting benefit to the country. It had been saia in many quarters that when the Massey Government came into power, wages would be reduced. In response to this Mr. Herries stated that in the Railway Department alone a big increase of salary would commence from April 1. In conclusion, Mr. Herries said that though railway freight* had to be readjusted. He hoped they would not in any way be increased. Tribute to His Chief. In response to the toast of the Government, Mr. Herries touched on the question of, an elective Upper House, ana assured his hearers that at the next election the Lower and Upper Houses would be elected by the people on the same franchise. The Massey Government, though against great odds, was doing great v work, but their success was in the main, due to their leader, who was even a better leader of the Government than he was of the Opposition. He was certain that Mr. Massey would soon be as much loved by the people as the late Right Hon. R. J. Seddon. (Loud applause.) M i >