HON. W. HALL-JONES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13859, 23 March 1907, Page 10

HON. W. HALL-JONES.

SPEECH AT CHEVIOT. (Per United Press Association.) CHEVIOT, March 22. Speaking at a smoke concert at Cheviot last night, Mr Hall-Jones (the Acting Prime Minister) said it was a misrepresentation to say ho had promised to drive the first pile of the Waiau bridge when ho came to the Cheviot show. He had merely said be hoped to do so. His hopes had not. been fulliM, partly for financial reasons, and partly because deviations in the propose*! Waipira-Blcnheim railway route had been suggested, and it would be neceS6ary to have the proposed now route surveyed. He thought the plans already approved would bo found the best, but, it was his duty to take every precaution against, a mistake. He suggested that the local bodies should contribute to the cost of the bridge. Alluding to the slaughtermen's strike, the Minister denied that the Arbitration Act. had broken down. The strikers were being punished, like those who broke other laws. He wished (hey had taken their grievances to the court, instead of ceasing work, and thought if they had done so (hey would have obtained terms just as eood as they had now fiecurod without incurring loss of wages and being fined. The Minister again referred to Mr Rutherford's attack on the Land Bill, and Quoted the late Mr .llolleston as proposing that, no Crown lands should bo sold. 110 could name members of the Opposition who supported that proposal, but who now opposed the endowment clauses of the present Land Bill. The opening of thousands of acres of Maori land for settlement,, as a result of the present commission, would give the colony a groat move forward, as would lie seen within the next few months. Mr Rutherford, M.H.R., professed himself satisfied with the Ministerial declaration _ regarding the Waiau bridge, but criticised the. Land Bill.