THE M.P.'S ON TOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17708, 17 February 1921, Page 8

THE M.P.'S ON TOUR.

BOTOBUA TO WHAKATANE. FERTILE LAND TRAVERSED. 'A USEFUL OBJECT-LESSON. VISIT TO STOCK SHOW. [by TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WHAKATANE, Wednesday., At six o'clock this morning the Parliamentary touring party left Eotorua in motor-cars for Whakatane. and the visitors bade farewell to their hosts of the last few days, with whom many pleasant hours had been spent. The morning was dull but not grey enough to diminish the charm of the glorious scenery, and swiftly the cars sped by the wonderful lakes, the smooth waters of which were frequently disturbed by jumping trout. They passed into the avenue through one of the most perfect pieces of bush in the region, and then down the long rough winding road, the line of the historical track taken by Hongi's spartans when they hauled their war canoes across the country to attack the Arawas in their island stronghold in Lake Rotoma, through a stretch of land still lying just under a deep layer of Tarawera ash, and finally on to the south-west end of the wonderfully fertile Rangitaiki Plain. Many ot the party had believed that the flat expanse of 87,000 acres lying between two ranges of hills stretching inland from the sea and over which the peaks of Mount Edgecombe, to the south, and Whale Island, to the north, seemed to hold vigil, Yl as actually a swamp. This description is often used, but no longer may the Rangitaiki be correctly termed a swamp. Since the dammed-up waters of the Rangitaiki River were released by the mile cut to the sea in 1914, and timilar operations were carried out at the mouth ot the Tarawera stream, and the drop in the ordinary water levels turned the 100 miles of drains into fast flowing rivulets, huge areas have become solid land, upon which sleek herds graze and marvellous crops of maize and oats bring wealth with little effort.

Those of the visitors who had never before seen this wast area of fertility were immensely impressed, and the stretch of rusty rails from Matata to the vidinity of Taneatua, usx>n which no traffic train has yet run, emphasised the importance of the great settlement line of the Dominion being pushed on with all possible speed, so that the vast resources and untapped wealth of this land may be exploited to their full capacity. A Southern member was heard to say that the " swamp" would one day carry a population of half a million people. One car came to Whakatane via Te Puke and Matata, the occupants travelling part of the way by Public Works train. The rest of the* party ran by various routes on the west side of the Rangitaiki River, crossed by the bridge over the cut at the mouth, and returned on the other bank to the railway and thence by the main road to Taneatua, nine miles inland from Whakala.ne, where everyone gathered to attend the Whakatane show. Here magnificent specimens of dairy and fat cattle were to be seen, but the most obvious ?ign of the prosperity' of the settlers was the ring of about 150 motor-cars outside the enclosure.

Impressive facts -.vere gleaned. One farm of 100 acres, for instance, carries 110 dairy cows and a carrying capacity of fO cows to 100 acres over and above cultivation is frequent. It was stated that rarely was manure used on this land. To-morrow the run will be via Ruatok' and Nukubou to Opotiki, where tomorrow ■ light will be spent. The final list of members going on with the tour is Messrs. E. Kellett, G. Wittv. H. Almore, J. Mitchell, J. P. Luke" G. R. Sykcs. W. Glenr,, W. Veitch, 0. J. Hawken, R. Masters, V. H. Reed. F. Hockiy, K. S. Williams, V». D. Lysnar, and the Hon. A. T. \gata. To-morrow Mr Hockly's duties hs official host will end, and Mr. Wil-

Hams will take them up. Everyone is. hugely appreciative of the success of the ■tour to date. Mr. Hockly and his helpers having made most complete arrangements. IMPRESSIONS OF MEMBERS. WARM PRAISE FOR DISTRICT. [BY TELEGBAP-H. —SPECIAL BEPOBTEB.] WHAKATANE, Wednesday. A social, function in honour of the visiting members of Parliament was held this evening. The Mayor, Mr. F. A. Moore, wb<> pre&ided, referred to the importance of the Public Works Department Handing over to the Railway Department the section of the line to Awakeri, which is six miles from Whakatane. Mr. W. A. Veitch, M.P., replying to the toast of the visitors, stressed the importance of a harbour for the district, and of local differences being solved on the railway question. The local people should benefit by the mistakes of other towns, and make sure that the site of the harbour for the district would be final. Continuing, he said it was almost impossible to estimate the future production of this district, which had developed- so remarkably O't recent years. " I must say," he said, " that I have never seen anything like the growth on this land." In humorous vein he spoke of the dejection Paraniiki members had shown since viewing the fertile expanse of ths Rangitaiki Plains, declaring that their province now held second instead of first place as a dairying area. They, however, had splendid tar-sealed roads, and he advised the local people to copy the advantage Taranaki possessed. While Mr. W. D. Lysnar was referring to the outstanding fertility of the Whakatane lands, someone asked if he did not exclude Poverty Bay lands. "They are good, but I don't exclude them," replied the speaker. Replying to the toast of the district, Mr. H. J. Gill said that ten years ago land three -miles from Whakatane was growing flax. To-day it was in pasture upon which show bullocks had been fattened. Urging the need for the development of Tauranga as a deep-sea port, he mentioned that freight from Auckland was now 24s to 30s per ton. He wished Auckland well, but local interests demanded a local port. Speaking of the Urewera, he declared this land should be taken up in large areas by experienced people from the East Coast. Mr. A. Sutherland, chairman of the Whakatane Harbour Board, explained how the board was proceeding on sound lines, the present aim being to keep the river navigable. MV. G. Witty,. M.P., praised the quality of the land, and strongly urged the opening of each section of new line without any delay. •Speaking on the native lands of the Urewera, the Hon. A. T. Ngata explained the proposal to consolidate Crown blocks andi the blocks of nonselling natives, and urged the closest attention of members to the native land problems, lest the Maori patrimony dwindle and the race become dependent on the State. "No banks will lend on native land," he said. "No one has faith in the Maori, not even the young Maori. There is good stuff in him. He is performing much of the unskilled work of the coast, and surely is worthy of sympathetic consideration to help him to farm his own land." Mr. J. Mitchell, M.P., paid a warm tribute to Mr. F. Hoekly. Mr. Hockly, M.P., in reply, referred to the legislation of last session, which provided assistance ft>r the natives who wished to farm' their own lands. He added that while Europeans had a duty to the Maoris, the Maori also* had a duty to the Europeans, and" he maintained that where Maoris .would not cultivate their lands they should be compelled to sell at a reasonable price. Among local wants he mentioned the need lor a railway from the main line iiiio Whakatane,