"ISOLATION"

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12039, 17 January 1925, Page 14

"ISOLATION"

SMALL TOWNS* GRIEVANCE. MINISTER’S EXPERIENCE. Many of V the . racing and. trotting clubs in country districts, in-making application -by way of deputation, to the Hon. R. F. Bollard (Minister for Internal Affairs),, for a share of the totalisator permits provided, for; last session, have stated as a factor entitling them to consideration the long distance of their towns from the metropolitan racing centres. Nearly all the clubs; in- deputatiomsing the Minister, have used ther word “isolation,” and its reiteration caused the Hon. Mr Bollard, at- Blenheim, when dbe local' trotting club was interviewing him, playfully to chide the speakers. ■ “Why say isolation?” said: the Minister. “You’re not -isolated! - Why not say that' you are -the: most prominent town -in tho < Dotaiuion? -I - have the greatest - admiration for, the / man who boasts about -his Sown; : it’s- good for the progress of the district, and good for the-people., if the Minister foy Finance could provide;the Minister for Railways with the twb'-and -a half million required, and- you got l - that train-ferrjr. service referred -to'in the Railway Commission’s report,. Blenheim would no doubt grow to be one of the biggest towns in the, Dominion. Everywhere*,! have- been lately, the Word ‘isolation’'has been- employed,. I hope from now onwards .that word will be cut out.”. (Laughter, and applause.)