BACKBLOCK SETTLERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23299, 17 September 1937, Page 10

BACKBLOCK SETTLERS

ASSISTANCE BY GOVERNMENT ACCESS ROADS TO BE IMPROVED PREVENTION OF RIVER EROSION (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Sept. 16. An indication that the Government expects full co-operation from county councils in its efforts to improve the lot of the settlers in remote districts was given in an interview this evening by the Prime Minister (Mr M. J. Savage). It was only by co-operation with the central Government, Mr Savage added, that local government could play the important part it had to play in the affairs of the country. "So far as we are concerned, politics do not enter into the matter at all," the Prime Minister continued. "I notice that a member of one county council has been accusing us of extravagance simply because we have given financial assistance. That sort of thing is not going to help anyone." Through the Public Works Department, Mr Savage said, the Government was. preparing large-scale plans for the improvement of farmers' access roads and for the prevention of river erosion and flooding. At a meeting of Cabinet only a few minutes previously the Minister of Public Works (Mr R. Semple) had reported on five-year plans for county roading which were being drawn up by his engineers in co-operation with the county councils. Very shortly they expected to have a comprehensive picture of the roading requirements of the rural areas, and everything would be done to see that those requirements were met as soon as possible. "I know that some of the counties have their financial troubles," the Prime Minister continued, "but those will not be allowed to stand in the way. There are counties, for instance, which have difficulty owing to the fact that they contain large areas of unprofitible Native lands. That position will be met by the Government. We are ready to do everything within our power to see that the needs of the country districts are properly served, but we must have the co-operation of the county councils. If any backblocks farmer finds himself still in the mud in a few months' time, and with no prospect of getting out of it, then all I can say is that 'he will not be able to blame the Government."