HON. R. McKENZIE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7851, 13 July 1911, Page 8

HON. R. McKENZIE

VISIT TO HIS CONSTITUENCY. SPEECH ON THE COUNTRY’S RESOURCES. FSOiT OUB SPECIAL EEPOETEE. AYAKEFTELD, July 12. Continuing a pro-sessional tour of Iris electorate (Motueka), the Hon. R. McKcnzie, Alinister for Public AVbrks, Alines, and Customs, gave a political address at AYakcfield to-night

Major Franklyn, who presided over an excellent attendance, declared that the electors of Motueka were delighted that their member was chosen to take one of the most important positions in the Government. He had filled the high position capably and had not forgotten to look after the welfare of hjs constituents.

Tho Minister outlined the chief features of last session’s legislation, mentioning that fourteen associations had been formed to acquire land under the Land Settlement Finance Act, a scheme which was superior to the Land for Settlements method. Seeing that 180 people owned land of an unimproved value of nearlv 'eleven and a half millions sterling there was plenty of necessity for farther activity on these lines. He believed that the water-power development system was destined to be more important to New Zealand than its railways—a power which was destined to make tho Dominion the groat manufacturing centre of the Southern Hemisphere. The first start in the hydro-elec-tric scheme was being made with Lake Coleridge, and it was intended to electrify the railway between Christchurch and Lyttelton. This would be finished in about two years. He drew an interesting picture of the varied domestic applications of electricity, declaring that it was only a few years when a great deal of housework would be done in that way, enabling ono maid to keep twenty houses in order, instead of having to employ twenty domestics. Ife was glad to state that the mining industry was never more flourishing than last year. It produced minerals valued at .£3,774.000, including gold to the value of .£I,S9G.UOO, ■’ and coal valued at £1,219,000. It was now practically certain that petroleum would be added to tho list of New Zealand’s products, and that within a few years there would Ire no need to import petroleum or benzine. (Applause.) The Minister explained the methods of examination which guarded admission to the Civil Service, and referring to the attack upon the Chief Justice for accepting payment while acting upon a Royal Commission, declared that nothing had been, done which was not in accord with wliat had been done since the foundation of the colony. He had no doubt that the Chief Justice’s reference to some of the Hine changes as the “ after babblement ” of an election was at the back of this attack.

The Minister was heartily thanked for his address and assured of the confidence of the people of AA r akefield, the mover of the resolution declaring that he had once been an opponent, but had come to regard the Minister, after .fifteen years’ experience. as the straightest and most outspoken man in Parliament.