HON. F. M. B. FISHER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8654, 12 February 1914, Page 4

HON. F. M. B. FISHER

RECEIVES A DEPUTATION. Press Association. GORE, February 11. The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher (Min is to f for Marino) received a local deputation last evening regarding the GoreHedghope railway. He said ha thought that when people wore willing to help themselves it ought to be the duty of the Government to assist them. Asked concerning the handicap placed on Gore and country towns by tho tariff on timber and coal (foreign timber being carried over the railways at rate and a half to the inland towns’ l disadvantage compared with seaport towns), tho Minister replied that Mr Hiley (General Manager of the Railways) intended to reconstruct the railways tariff. The Minister promised to see the Minister for Railways on ai matter mentioned by the deputation :n connection with the deposits necessary for contractors to lodge with the Government when undertaking a contract* The Government, after the completion of tho contract, returned tho deposit, lees exchange. The Minister said it seemed like cheese-paring not to return tho money in full, and promised to support the deputation. Mr Fisher visited Mataura this morning, and the Gore High School, and then left for Queenstown.