THE DOMINION'S BURDENS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17178, 4 June 1919, Page 6

THE DOMINION'S BURDENS.

VIEWS OF MR. JENNINGS, M.P. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORESPONDENT.] . TAUMARUNUI. Tuesday. The bridge over the Taringamolu Stream, ' on the main road between Taumarunui ; and Okahukura, was formally opened to-' day by Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P., in the presence of a number of settlers. In the couree of his speech, Mr. Jennings referred |to the political future. While in Wellington a week ago, in conversation with a Minister of the Crown, a few figures, ho said, were pointed out to him, showing what the demands of the people of th» Dominion meant. The enthusiasts in educational matters wanted £7,000,000 spent; one deputation wanted for a certain school £55.000. In regard to the main arterial roads, the Farmers' Union were asking that £6.000X00 be allocated. In regard to the improvement of the existing railways and stations, £3.C00.0C0 were asked for; for pensions—military and otherwise I —over £2,CC0.G00 per annum would have :to be provided. For what was, in his I opinion, a most, impoitant matter, namely, j hydro-electric power, £6,000,000 were .T-ked. Other general Government expends would amount to about £10,000,000, making a small total of £34.000.000. Ho asked whether the sense of the proportion of things had gone o it ol the minds of the people. Perhaps owing to the war they had become sc accustomed to hearing thousands of millions talked about that they thought that they, too, a sparse')' settled population, could also ta'k glibly about many millions. The increases in the national debt during the war period were surely sufficient food for thought. In conclusion, Mr. Jennings said he trusted that the indebtedness of the country would cause sonv> to reflect as to what they should do in the future in recrard to electing persons to represent litem in Par'iament. Never vni< a time more pregnant with meaning for the future ot the country, a country which should bs governed by men who had a love for it, and men who had experience ' and good I will.