"GREAT TAUPO BASIN."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20028, 18 August 1928, Page 13

"GREAT TAUPO BASIN."

VALUE OF THE RAILWAY.

NEW SETTLEMENT AREA.;

TAPPING TIMBER FORESTS.

MANY SOURCES OF REVENUE

[fir TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL EErOUTER.] WELLINGTON. Friday.

•" When ilie great Taupo basin is settled it will add a new province to New Zealand," said Mr. F. F. Hoekly (Rotorua) in tho House to-day when speaking on the Taupo railway project. Several reasons justifying the construction of the line were given by Mr. llockly. lie said the lino would open up for settlement a much greater area of land suitablo for settlement than was obtainablo anywhere else in New Zealand, and it would provide transport facilities for the timber from the great forests planted by tho Government and private companies, as well as native timber.

Tho lino would traverse tho most remarkable scenic country in tho world, and it would enormously increase tho value of tlie Crown lands it would serve. It could be constructed at remarkably small cost in time money, and the maintenance and operating costs would bo unusually low. Further, it would undoubtedly earn a large revenue. In deciding tq, undertako tho building of the line tho Government showed statesmanship and foresight. Possibilities of Pumice Land. Mr. Ilockly said if those who criticised the scheme spent a little time in examining the land that would bo opened up and tho prospects of tho line they would change their minds. He knew every inch of the country, iind having had 40 years' experience on t lie land he was in a position to givo an opinion. In speaking of tho possibilities of the pumico country he was supported by men ay ho also knew what they were talking about. " It has been said against the Government that it has not promoted land settlement and that there is a land hunger that lias not. been satisfied," said Mr. Ilockly. The Government had been faced with tho task of keeping on the land the men who were already there, but now these difficulties had been largely cleared away and the time had arrived when the Government could give attention to the promotion of new settlement. There was only one area in New Zealand that lent itself to a comprehensive land settlement scheme and that was the great Taupo basin, where there were 1,250,000 acres within a 10 miles radius; of the proposed line.

Experts of high standing had said the settlement of the area could not be made without a railway, which was essential for the carriage of fertilisers and the produce from the farms. The Government had been assailed for not promoting settlement, but the extraordinary position had arisen that wiien it did take steps to promote a settlement scheme it was again assailed. In this case the railway must precede settlement. Forestry Developments.

Mr. Hockly answered in the affirmative the question whether the pumice country coulrl be developed and the line made a paying one. The time was long past, for any doubt on that score. Examples of the successful results which had been achieved on the pumice country were easily found. Stock which had been fattened in the Waiotapu Valley pumice country had topped the "Westfield market and root crops from the same area had won prizes at the shows. "The growth of the trees in the Taupo region has to bo seen to be believed," said Mr. Hockly. In speaking of the value of that area for forestry purposes he quoted from a departmental report stating that to avoid national loss it was essential that- a railway should be provided to carry the timber that would 'uc ready for marketing in a short time, and tha't with continued forestry operations there would lie business in perpetuitv for the line. If a railway were not available for the transportation of the timber when it was ready, who would be the first to criticise the Government? The same people who were decrying the project to-day, he answered. Stimulating Tourist Traffic. Besides these sources of revenue there was the existing tourist traffic, which v.-ould be greatly stimulated, and there was another class of traffic in the transport of invalids who could not stand the shaking of the motor services when they were being taken to the mineral springs which were beneficial to health. 1. urthei, there were the largo sulphur deposits. Mr. Hockly said he was pleased the Government had taken them, over; the snlphur available was equal to the best obtainablc. , Mr. Hockly asked if the Government could arrange for greater use being made of the Totara Timber Company's line by having it put in such a state that for tiie first 19 miles at least Government rolling stock could be worked on it, with through' rates for freight. It would also help the settlers if a definite policy could be laid down with regard to the outlets for timber in that district.