ADVANCE OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19201, 18 June 1924, Page 6

ADVANCE OTAGO.

NEEDS OF THE PROVINCE. TASKS FOR LOCAL MEMBERS EXPANSION LEAGUE’S ANNUAL PRE-SESSION AL GATHERING. Tho annual pre-sessional meeting with local Members of Parliament organised by the Otago Expansion League took place in the Savoy Lounge last evening. Ihe order paper of matters to be presented to the Parliamentary representatives proved to be a particularly heavy one, the subjects being grouped under eight main headings in charge of about a dozen speakers. Tho president of the league, Mr S. B. Macdonald, presided over a representative attendance. The members of Parliament present were Messrs J. Bitehener, J. Munro, T. K. Sidcv, and J. Horn; the Hon. w. D. Stewart, the Hon. C. E. Slat ham, the Hon. Mark Cohen, the Hon. R. Scott, and Mr John Edie, M.P., wrote regretting their inability to be present and promising to do their utmost to further tho interests of Otago. The Chairman welcomed them to the annua! pre-sessional meetings and said ho believed they would agree that these meetings had been to the vast advantage of Otago. They had that evening many matters to bring before tho members of Parliament, and he invited the various speakers to coniine themselves to as brief a space as possible. In response to Mr Sidey the chairman said the replies of the members of Parliament at tho close of the evening would bo taken in committee if they so desired. He thanked the members for (lie very able way in which they had looked after the interests of Otago during the past session. RAILWAY REQUIREMENTS. The first subjects dealt with came under the heading of “Railways.’’ Speaking in particular of the duplication and straightening of the Dniiedin-Port Chalmers railway, Mr G. J. Errington said he was optimistic enegh to hope that during tho coming session matters would he so far advanced that he would not need to plead again for tho carrying out of this work. Ho referred to a remark of Mr Massey’s during his recent visit to Dunedin, that the Dun-'edin-Port Chalmers line was looked upon as the worst in the dominion. Tlie disabilities at present wore so many that it was almost impossible to run a satisfactory service. The traffic was greatly increasing and the service had to be conducted not in the interests of the public concerned, but in accordance with the exigencies of the situation. Hie duplication and straightening had been classed as an essential work since the Hon. Mr Millar’s time, but other places thought they had essential works too. There were commissioners coming over from Australia to report on the New Zealand railways, and it was likely that big ’constructive works would be undertaken shortly. He referred to the possibility of electrification, and said there was no possibility of effective road competition between Dunedin and Port Chalmers. If the lino were duplicated he believed it would bo the first one to be electrified. Ho thought electrification of suburban areas would coino sooner than was generally imagined. Anomalies of suburban fares wa,s the sub’cat allotted to Mr J. Watson, Mayor of Tort Chalmers. He first of all congratulated Mr Errington on his speech and emphasised the great importance of this duplication. There were 600 people travelling every evening by the 5.15 p.m. train and it was becoming very difficult to accommodate them. The trains were often delaved on account of difficulties of crossings that would be eliminated by a double line. There was also the question of safety, and there wore always possibilities of disaster when an express train was dashing past a waiting train. The duplication of the Mosgiel line in the late Mr Millar’s time cost about £2,000,000, and ho believed that was justified. He Port Chalmers line originally cost about £75,000, and it had been one of tho best paying lines in tre dominion. Tho cost of duplication would bo a mere bagatelle compared with that of the Mosgiel line. There were no deep cuttings and no deep water to passthrough, and stone was ■ available in abundance. The straightening would greatly reduce the cost of wear and tear of the rolling stock. Passing on to speak of anomalies in fares, he pointed out one as very extraordinary. A passenger can purchase a return ticket bom Dunedin to Waitati for twopence less than ho can purchase a return ticket from Port Chalmers to Wail at i. Mr E Tamblyn spoke of the Roxburgh railway extension from Miller's Flat and of tho needs of Clutha Valley. The line, he said, was now reaching a very important stage with the terminus at Miller’s Flat. He understood the rails would bo laid there by next September. Unless a fresh authorisation was obtained during this session the plant and all the men engaged there would be transferred elsewhere. If that once happened, they could understand it would bo a generation before the line' was conrnleled over the 11 miles between Miller’s Flat and Roxburgh. He wished to impress on members the nigent importance of getting (bat authorisation thro”£rh this session. Wilh regard to CJulha Valley needs, he said that there had been for many years n.n agitation for a railway line to that somewhat isolated r.arl. He understood that the Minister of Railways had turner! down the railway proposal in the meantime, and if that wer so. tbev asked that «ome better road facilities be provided. Tbev desired a definite statement as to what the intentions of the department were in this matter. HYDRO-EL FCTRTt' 1 ENERGY AND IRRIGATION. The Chairman (Mr Macdonald) said he had been deputed to bring before their no! ice the question of the resumption of irrigated and irrigate lands in Central Otago, but before doing so he wanted, on behalf of the league, to thank the Minister of P 'blie Works (the Hon. J. G. Coatee) for the enthusiasm he was manifesting in the great work of irrigation in Central Otago. Great truefs of land which for centuries had lain waste, and '-I'it-h of lata had been given over to rabbits and sand storms, were now a-mli"g farms nna-i-aird • prosperous settlers, and to the Minister’s Staff, heeded bv Mr Marks bis able lieutenant in Otago, tbev wished also to return thanks. Mr Marks bad nrovod himself an able and oeormmienl engineer, who tbo-oi-ghb- knew In’s work He would now draw tbeir attention to a tremendous economic waste at ,'n ooerai-i’an in one of Mmi,. irrigated areas He referred to that mpef fo-Hln voll-V. probably tbo most fertile ; n the dominion 10-rlav. Ida Valiev. Central Otago Tbo area at awa.nl under irrigation in that .-allev war lO O/Yl ..-fi.’Te another Y oao -no ahertb- to Ko brouo-gl „nrler irrfga. ‘ion In all (be area of ]VvLnln.l and *>•-■• rr. phle land Jr, Tdn W.,11„ V v . no 00 fi oq acres, all Cm )aml„ and tbe udmle tbat ama would -vJiVJn a yerv few vears be irrigated T’.e marl-at value of that area i-tli-W irrigation ..-as, he understood not loss t 1. a n One milllor. s+erprjg a I’erita.ge of tbeir rwo-Jo, vet that /rrn-af bo-a’farrn was beea'K-e of tbeir wrotehed O'er-o land tenures being ra.nidlv wasted The 111,1-ic-itv of tbo settlers benefiting under the • narration ark-mo were eowirrvlurr )eace. Inlds n f areas of less flu., *>P oeq + i, n greate- riart nf this area bring Ivlin and rugged oouulrv. but it was s.a f a (a s, n v tbat each nf those runs eonlained a very appreciable area, of irrigated valley land. Four families between I hem controlled 2?05 acres nf irrigated land, and when he said that 150 acres cf irrigated land wa-s as much as a settler could profitably farm and keen in good condition, they would realise what was the matter in Ida Valley. All (hia Crown land was held on 21 years’ (enures wilhout valuation for improvements and right of renewal of lease, consequently the holders of the leases were taking the utmost out of the land without scruple. No consideration was given to the future condition of the land, nor was any attempt, made to conserve its fertility. The result was that lands which should be, and were, the most fertile in New Zealand were, because the leaseholder did nol rare, and because he knew it did not pay him to care, rapidly being converted into swamps—rushes wore taking control, and in areas of hundreds of acres had taken control, wiping out tho grasses and leaving in their stead areas of sour, evil-smelling water. Even in paddocks recently laid down in English grasses the rushes were growing faster than the grasses. The explanation was simply want of care and want of interest. He had evidence that the position was so bad that even after the irrigation had been turned off the Valley for three weeks the soil was so saturated that the water washed over the boot tops. Tlie position was very serious. It would bo no time before this great Valley of the finest land would be permanently a swamp which would cost tens of thousands to re* claim and ro-fertiliso. The Public Works Department had certainly realised the necessity of drainage to take off surplus water, but its work was nullified by the settlers who could not be expected to spend great turns of money on tile drainage. They did

not own the land, and they did not get any compensation for improi ements. In fact, it was the other way —if (hoy improved they paid more rout on expiry of their lexises, and the leaseholder was making the most of his oportnnitics, and was quite satisfied to exploit the virgin, fertility of the sod and leave to his successor an infertile swamp. , ~ The number of settlers in the \ alley at present was about 58, and with few exceptions held far more irrigated land than they could possibly control. _ they had carefully gone into the possibilities of settlement, and it was safe to say that another 150 farmers could be profitably settled there without depleting the grazing runs of sumcient irrigated land for growing winter feed. Continuing, the speaker said his league, therefore, asked and they asked their representatives to insist, that the grazing runs in the Valley be at once resumed and re-surveyed into two classes grazing runs with not more than 150 acres of irrigated land included, and that the great area of Valley lands be cut up into f arms of not more than 100 acres, and either acid in fee simple or leased under a tenure that woulu guarantee the lessor a fair return for improvements and an absolute right, of renewal. It was not necessary for him to point out that the Valley was first-class dairying country, and would be a tremendous source of wealth to the country. lie had been informed by experts who had studied the country that not less than '2OO small holdings could be profitably surveyed out of the alley, lie asked them to realise what this meant. At present the land was deteriorating to the extent of £50,000 per annum, anti if it cost the Government another £50,000 to icsurne tho land it would be cheap at tie price. It was their duty to immediately take such action as would prevent further waste of the public heritage, and insist that either a board of inquiry be set up, or that the Agricultural Department bo requested to furnish a report to Parliament this session so that a great public was o might be stopped. The Galloway Experimental harm was also spoken on by Mr Macdonald, who stated ‘that members of the league were recently afforded an opportunity of seeing tlie work done by the Agricultural Department on the area of land recently resumed bv the Government on Galloway I‘lat, and now known as tho Galloway Experimental f arm. The area of the farm was 14 - acres. Before the department resumed the land it was purely a waste of arid desert, and to-day it was a fertile farm and this transformation was largely due to the cr* thusiasm of tho Otago instructor in agriculture (Mr R. B. Tennent). Tins gentleman had brought all his expert knowledge to lie nr in convincing all who wished to be convinced that the lands of Central Otago, given water amd proper attention were the most fertile in New Zealand. A few years ago this area and thousands of acres' beside it were practically given up to rabbits, hut water had changed all tha., and to-day “Galloway,” although tho irngation had only been in use one season, was the homo of many settlers doing wel. Galloway Experimental Farm had demon si rated what could be done '1 ho speaker quoted figures for only one season um.er irrigation. Of the 148 acres, 93 were irrigable—that was to say, below the water race which flowed through the farm, and, although it was impossible tor the department to utilise the water to jta < full extent, owing to, in his opinion, a cneese-parmg policy of not employing an adequate staff, a matter he would deal with later oh. The farm, after allowing for every contingency of outlay interest on capital, wages, etc., showed a profit of £366, a result widen was highlv gratifying, and their heartiest congratulations were extended to Mr bennent and his staff on the figures. I*roin the moment of the resumption of the land it had been systematically broken in so that it would he ready for irritation when available, with the result as already stated. When it was realised that Hus result had been achieved, in addition to giving expert ddvice and demonstrations to numberless farmers, tho value of the farm as an adjunct to the usefulness of the department was manifest. The department had now decided to experiment in dairy farming upon this area, and to that end proposed to start an Ayrshire dairy herd, 'the league was delighted to know this, because the whole valley was suited to dairy farming, and when the department demonstrated, ns it undoubtedly would, the suitability of the country for dairy farming, it would lx? no time before the settlers themselves would become dairy farmers, and further add to the prosperity, not only of themselves, hut the dominion in general, in regard to the short-sighted policy of the department in not adequately stalling the various provincial districts, the speaker said this was most evident in Otago, where one man was expected to look after an area stretching from the Waitaki River in the north to the Bluff in the south. It was humanly impossible, he said, and

therefore asked them te assist in convincing tho department to permit the appointment of further assistants, who should be trained by Mr Tennent on Galloway Farm, so that they could assist him in his many duties, and add further satisfaction to those whom they profess to assist —namely, the _ ago settlers.

In conclusion, ho would say the league was constituted to assist all those who desired assistance in bringing the province to full producing capacity and to do- all things which spelt out its slogan, “Onward, Otago." Atr H. W. Jones (Dunedin Chamber of Commerce) dealt with hydro-olt?ctric energy and irrigation in Central Otago. He stated that these propositions formed tho twin foundation stones of, the modern development and ultimate prosperity of Central Otago. For many years engineers had pointed out the tremendous assets they had in their inland water supply. “ The treasurer of tho snow" was no fanciful figure of speech in the South Island. On tho contrary, their snow-clad mountains were a real source of material wealth, so soon as the ingenuity and industry of man had converted their unfailing water supply it.to electric power. According to the latest reports, they had at Hawea, Wan aka., 64,000 h.p.; at the Teviot River, from 15,000 to 30,000 h.p.; while it was said that Waipori could easily bo developed to 16,000 h.p., and, if necessary, even to 26,000 h.p., making a total of from 95,000 to 120,000 h.p. At present they had only tapped a fraction of this power supply, a"'! already the enormous advantage to the City of Dunedin and the surrounding country was manifest. At Roxburgh 1000 h.p. was now being brought in from ths Teviot Bivor, and this would transform the conditions of living in Roxburgh, Alexandra, and the adjacent townships. The giant power of Hawea and Wanaki were hehl in reserve, but it was possible to or njecture from what had been done in Canada and tho United States what would be the result of the ultimate development of these sources of supply. A considerable portion of Central Otago could be irrigated by gravity, but there were many levels which could only be reached by pumping, and in this direction the Minister of Public Works, speaking in February, 1921, pointed' out that there were from 261,000 to 270,000 acres in the Upper Chitha Valley which could bo made available for irrigation in conjunction with a satisfactory hydroelectric reheme. Tt was safe to say that tho productive power of 109 acres under irrigation was equal to the productive power of 2000 acres without it, or that 100 acres of irrigated land would support a family in comfort where it required 2000 acres under the present conditions. Irrigation, in short, meant close settlement, with all the accompanying benefits. Continuing, the speaker said that two large irrigation schemes which required to be taken in hand wore the Maniototo scheme of 100,000 acres and tho Upper Manuhorilria scheme of 90,000 acres. They could quite easily realise what this irrigation policy meant to Dingo and to New Zealand generally, and it was a pity there wore not more members present. Ho hoped the members would get up in Parliament and push forward the needs of Otago in the matter of irrigation. OUR. SCENIC ATTRACTIONS. The matter of repairs and upkeep of the present track to tourist resorts was dealt with by Mr J. Inglis Wright. Tho speaker stated that a great deal had been said on the various important sources of wealth of the dominion. He would like to point out that another important source of wealth wore the scenic resorts. It seemed to him that Parliament seriously underestimated this great asset. The tourist resorts wore not receiving a fair deal from the Government. There were numerous scenic resorts in New Zealand. Rotorua came first, and the second greatest attraction in the dominion was the Milford track, hut such a thing could not be imagined by the support given to it by the Government. Ho would deal only with the truck, as time would not permit of going further. Tho wondrous beauty of the scenery was praised, but the track was being carried on only with difficulty. It was dealt with in a wretched manner, and tho money spent on it was utterly inadequate. There wpre several things they wanted the representatives to carry out. and one of tho first was tho repairing of tho road and putting it in good order, borne money had been provided, but it was not anything like sufficient. Tho speaker dealt with tho deplorable stale of tho hotel on the track, which, ho said, was up-to-date 50 years ago. The rooms were too small, and tho sleeping

quarters were no better than rabbit hutches. When a tourist arrived at Lake Te Anau there were no boats to go up the fiords. Tlio people wore willing to spend money, but there was nothing to spend it on. In every direction the huts provided were nightmares, and those who have seen them have been full of praise for the scenery but full of condemnation for tho huts. Finally there was the house at the' head of the sound, and he wanted to know when it was going to be made decent, taken over, and put in order, lie could not understand how the Government allowed such a 'Valuable asset as the track to be maintained in such a manner. The Government had promised some time ago to have proper management of tho track introduced, but it had not been done, and he asked their representatives to see that it was done. It would be a benefit to New Zealand and, to Otago, and if (he track were properly managed it would also mean a continuous stream of people. There was then tho question of a bridge -at Bake Ada. At present a tourist had to wade through water. There was no telephone, and in fact everything that was going to be done had not been attempted. That scenic resort was worthy of all the attention possible, and could be made a gold mine, both to the Government and to Otago, if properly managed and put in decant order. TRANSPORT PROBLEMS. Main highways problems were placed be fore the members of Parliament present by Mr W. Wright, representing (he Otago Motor Club. Mr Wright referred to the fact that the horse was being slowly and surely driven off the roads, and said that the time was coming when even the passenger traffic on the reads would exceed that on the railways if the present management of tho railways continued. It was estimated there were 6600 miles of main roads in New Zealand, and probably that was about half the roads of the country. Corunared with tho population there was roughly one mile of road to every 100 of population. In England there was one mile to every 250. and so in New Zealand the problem of maintaining the roads was much more difficult. Our roads were largely built for horse-drawn vehicles, ana they had ,to be turned into motor roads, and that was a big problem. Tho streets of Dunedin gave an idea of the motor road of the future. He believed that part of our bad roads might be ascribed to the system we had of running our Hospital Boards. Tho levies were very keenly felt by county councils, and a better system should be devised. He thought the Port Chalmers neopie and the Expansion League shrm'd still push to have the road to Port Chalmers declared an arterial road He said it was a disgrace to the Bruce County Council that a main road had been held up for 12 months hv the breaking of the Manuka Gorge bridge. The time would come when a break in a main road would be repaired as ouickly as a break in the railway line. He proposed that cmntv returning coal tracks should bo utilised foi the transport of gravel for the improvement of roads. The present system of motor taxation smacked somewhat of claes legislation, and he trusted tho t>nie would come when tho horse vehicle and perhaps even the humble cycle would have to contribute to the roads they used. They had the (wc islands, (hreo interested parties, and one Highways Board in control. (be result was not satisfactory, and it might be better to have a separate board for each island. IMMIGRATION. Mr W. B. Steel brought forward tho question of immigration, and stated that this was a matter which troubled a number of countries, and especially New Zealand. Thev had been working on a system of nomination, and tho people of the dominion were finding homes for the, immigrants, and they were being absorbed in various works. The Otago Expansion League, said R.u speaker, believed a continuation of Biis policy would have good results. The system was not perfect, and there was one thing the members might bear in mind, and (bat was that the Government should he more stringent with the immigrants who d'd not I've up to their bargain. There were several of these cases, and these “dnfters" should he watched. There had been a good deal of agitation in the direction of bringing out more immipants, and introduoine a more rigorous policy Such a thing might be quite in order continued the sneaker, but it was not a good policy to bring out more than were needed. Two stems he would suggest were land settlement. where the immigrants could prepare the land and work i(, and the other plan would be a large public works policy, whereby the Government could place the men on the roads, and have them placed in order. If immigration was to be successfully carried out. he thought it would have to be along tho lines suggested. NEW ZEALAND AND SOUTH PEAS EXHIBITION. The New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition as a national affair was dealt with bv Mr J. Sutherland Ross, the chairman of directors of the Exhibition. Mr Ross said at the outset that he would like to associate himself with all Mr Tnglis Wright had said of our tourist resorts. They hoped to have next year a very large influx of visitors to the Exhibition, and if the conditions described by Mr Wright still obtained then the visitors would not go away with very bright impressions. They desired strongly to advocate a Daylight Saving Ad, whieh would save them 130 hours of light and would save to their exhibitors energy and cost to that extent. It would in every way tend to assist the Exhibition. He outlined the- terms of “The Exhibition Act, 1910,” and explainer] that tho directors were asking for (he following provisions to ne included in the annual Wash-ing-no Bill Authorising land to be set aside with consent of owner for purposes of exhibition and thereby vesting in the Exhibitor! Company for the time. To close roads with consent of local Indy and adjacent owners of land To waive wtain formalities or modify various Acts of Parliament to facilitate Exhibition activities To provide authority for local bodies, including Education Board, to expend funds in getting together exhibits or to remit dues, charges, or other rates thereon or on tho Exhibition. The Government had already admitted in connection with the Christchurch Exhibition that actual gain wag not the main object of such an enterprise, but to stimulate trade and industry, te bring out copulation if possible, and generally to increase the importance and tho activities of the community. The Christchurch ExblKLiori had made an actual loss of 1.000. but the Government considered that was more than compensated for in other directions. In its offic'al record appeared the following clause:—“The actual financial loss on the exhibition, guaranteed try the Government, was considerable, as was expected • but it was. after all. a loss that was really a gain to the State, for the deficit was far more than counterbalanced by the, benefit to the revenue in the form of increased railway receipts, in Customs duties, and other returns, besides the direct general gain to the community due to tho arrival of large numbers of visitors.” As a matter of fact, thev trusted to conduct the F.'-lrbitino here so as to give a very substantial return. Tie sneeiallv directed (he attention of the members. present to th» clauses (bev had forwarded for the Washmg-up Bill and to the Davlieht Saving Bill WATPORT EMPOWERING BILL. Mr J. B. Shacklock, in introducing the question of the Waipori Empowering Bill, apologised for the absence of tho Mayor, and said the rocuest ho was going to place before the members should be one of the easiest, as no money was being asked for. 'fho council had never asked the Government to assist financially in (lie hyro-electric enterprise The Bill authorising the erection of the dam had been passed, and it had been completed (o (ho height allowed —namely, 38.4 ft. A dry summer had just been experienced, and if next summer were as dry they would ] have to exercise care in the use of the water if they had only their present storage. With the increased demands, they must have increased storage, and towards this end it was essential that the dam be built to a height of 110 ft. thus enabling the water in Waipori watershed to be controlled, Thev did not want to do it all at once, but they would liko to bring (he dam up to 60ft or 70ft this year. They asked (he memi'ws to do all in (heir power to push the Bill and get it through cgrlv in the session. The compensation of all actively engaged in mining at Waipori had been arranged for. and as tho sheep runs in tho vicinity were only leasehold it should not be difficult to arrange compensation. It had been suggested in some quarters that the cost of compensating innholders in the locality would he so groat that it would make (he financial aspect unsound. He wished to disabuse their minds on this score, and would sav that in raising the dam to 110 ft it, would be doing a big thing. Tile onlv alternative left, if Ifie demand increased. w<rdd he the erection of a. number of small dates, and tlmse would be move costly. A nether important matter was that the building of a dam would do away with the flooding of the Taieri Plains hv the Waipori Biver. Tt was an important and necessary work, and should he done as quickly as possible, and ho hoped the members would do their host ill this direction. “ PRIME CANTERBURY.” Mr James Begg, representing tho Sheep- | owners’ Association, dealt with the subject

of “Canterbury Lamb.” He said the matter ho was to bring before them was not going to cost any money, but he was to speak of a very valuable asset that they were allowing to slip through their fingers. What he was going to speak of was not really Canterbury lamb but Otago lamb which was shipped Homo brained “ Canterbury iamb.” That happened because Canterbury lamb had gained a standing for its quality, and every credit was duo to Canterbury that it was so recognised. But either our Otago lambs was of “ Canterbury ” quality or it was not. If it was not, then it ought not to have that brand put on it. If it was, then we could put a brand on it ourselves. If it was Canterbury quality when it loft Canterbury, it was more tiian that when it left here, for it deteriorated in quality in the course of transport. It was a serious economic lo=s to Now Zealand as a whole, and especially to Otago, to have tho lambs bred and fattened in Otago shipped away to Canterbury and killed and handled there. Ho was one of those who believed that if all the Otago lamb were shipped away under its own name it would not be long before it would command just as high a price as the Canterbury lamb At. tho close of these speeches an interval was taken for the enjoyment of supper, and afterwards the members of Parliament present addressed the gathering in private on the subjects that had been put before them.