DUNEDIN EXPANSION LEAGUE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3035, 15 May 1912, Page 10

DUNEDIN EXPANSION LEAGUE.

CLAIMS OF CENTRAL OTAGO. DEPUTATION TO THE PRIME MINISTER. A SYMPATHETIC REPLY.

A very largo deputation, consisting of »bout 40 gentlemen, waited upon the Prime Minister on the 9th to bring before him a number of matters of interest to the whole ° M.P., said the large and representative deputation was an indication of the strong sentiment prevailing in Dunedin with respect to the interests of Dunedin and of the Otago district. The deputation had been organised by the Dunedin Expansion League, which- had been formed with a view to promoting the interests ot the district. Its work embraced a number of matters, including the promotion of local industries and manufactures, and it also recognised the great importance to Dunedin of the development of the interior. It wa3 more particularly in connection with that portion of its work that the league waited on the Minister. It was cooperating with other leagues, and the leagues, represented by the deputation were the Otago Central Railway, the LawrenceRoxburgh Railway, and the Cromwell Irrigation. With regard to the Otago Central Tine, he believed he correctly voiced the sentiment of the district when he said that the people wouJd not tolerate the stoppage of the Otago Central railway longer than the completion of the Catlins line to the present authorisation—Tahakopa Valley. The Prime Minister had referred to the matter of borrowing and the difficulty of construction on that account, but he (Mr Sidey) did not think there was any strong sentiment against borrowing for railwavs. He believed the Government might "borrow even larger sums for railway construction without meeting with opposition either in the country or in the House. —{" Hear, hear.") If they might assume that the Catlins line would be finished next yearThe Prime Minister: How far do you consider it will be finished? Mr Sidey replied that he hoped it would have been carried to Houipapa by the end of next year. That being so, he would suggest that in order to pave the way for re-prosecution of the Otago Central, and also as an earnest of the Government to re-prosecute the line, the Government should place a small sum on the Estimates this year for the railway.—(Applause.) The vigorous prosecution of the LawienceRoxburjjh line would, also be urged. The railway was authorised only as far as Beaumont at present, and he thought they might fairly ask, as an indication of the intention of the Government, that a further authorisation to Roxburgh should be made next session.—(Applause.) Mr A. Bathgate, president of the Dunedin Expansion League, congratulated the Prime Minister on having attained his high office. —(Applause.) The feeling had long been growing in Dunedin that in the past Otago had not received full justice at the hands of the Government in many ways, and the people of Dunedin had had it forced on them that they were falling behind the other centres. They realised that the best way to expand the city was to develop the country, and that to pro 1 - perly develop Otago Central three things were required—railway communication, Opening of the lands, and irrigation. They •would like to know what was to be dono for tho irrigation of the Galloway and Cromwell Flats, which, if irrigated, would support a largo and prosperous population. —| Hear, hear.") At present the population in these parts was actually declining, whereas if these schemes were put in hand Jt would increase rapidly. Would it not bo good policy on the part of the Government to lose no time in irrigating these lands, because if there was a largo population it would afford traffic -to the rail-

way? If the late Government had not •adopted a dog-in-the-manger policy towards the settlers on the Cromwell Flats water would have been introduced there some time ago, and to-day there would have been many smiling homesteads in that part. He had noticed that the Government had done tardy justice to the South Island in promising to start three experimental farms in different localities, but it was to be regretted that the Prime Minister had not seen his way to promise that an experimental station woufd be established in Central Otago—(applause),—where experiments in fruit-growing, etc,, could be carried out.

The following lefcte r from Mr R. Scott. MP, was read:— 'l notice that the Central Otago Railway League and other bodies interested in the development of the interior of Otaj;o intend waiting on the Hon. the Prime Minister with a view of bringing prominently before him the urgent necessity of forwarding the various schemes in tho direction of irrigatdon and railway construction. Unfortunately. I cannot be present, but I can assure you that anything in the above direction has my heartiest support. The interests of Dunedin are so bound up with the interests of Central Otago that they are inseparable. Railway construction and irrigation work must go on simultaneously. The promise made to the people of Rcj burgh in 1904 that they could conconsider the railway an accomplished fact must be adhered to. The irrigation of part of the vu6t area we possess in Central Otago must be proceeded with, and in a way which will be in the best interests of settlement. In the above matters you have my strongest support." ' ,' llf Burnett said that he appeared as the representative of the Otago Central Railway League. They sincerely hoped that now that an Otaco man was Prime Minister they would get that measure of justice which had been expected by them for a very long time. The league had been set up in 1892, and was the parent league of all tho leagues in New Zealand. He had noticed that one of its infants, the Wairoa League, had been getting some consideration, though he was of opinion that a railway which was to run all the way along a road was not deserving of so much consideration as one that was to |>enetrate into Otago Central. The Dunedin people had begun to realise that they had not been treated as well in the past as they might have been, and they were going to demand better treatment in the future. As far as irrigation was concerned, he was entirely in favour of it, but the Otago Central League had been set up for one purpose, and that was to take the railway., the erection of which liad been promised 3i5 years ago to certain people who had taken up land on the strength of those promises. Though he was interested in irrigation and tho extension of the Lawrenoe-Roxbuirgh railway, he was asking that the railway should bo carried on to Wanaika. They had with them that morning a settler who had taken up lrnd on tho strength of that promise he had referred to—a simple Highlandman— (laughter),—who believed in the promise of a Minister as he did in the promise of a King. The speaker and Messrs Bathgate and Barron had gone through the country, and had got Signor Bragato and Mr Blackraore to draw up a report, which proved even more flattering than they had anticipated. Sir Harry Atkinson, after reading that report, said that he had hitherto been grossly deceived as to the true nature of the country, and that the railway should proceed at once. He sincerely trusted that the present Government would distinguish itself by caxrying out a promiso made 35 years ago. He could assure him that tho railway would bo a success if it were accompanied by a proper irrigation scheme. Mr Burnett concluded his remarks by reading a telegram which he had received from M r P. R Sargood, at Pembroke, who, Mr Burnett said, was not a fanatic or a political highwayman, but a strict man of business. This telegram read : —" Trust deputation will emphasise enormous possibilities Central Otago; a hydro-electric power station Hawea Flat, witli _ electrical transportation to Clyde, pumping .stations along- Molyneux, utilising Government engineer's estimate 800,000 jtvai'able horse power, making country carry 100.000 cortentcd settlers."

The Hon. J. B. Callan said that at pre

sent the railway ran from Lawrence to Big Hill, a distance of seven miles. Teams which had come up to 40 or 50 miles were net likely to utilise the seven miles of railway to Lawrence. There was no saving in it, nor was there any accommodation to speak of at Big Hill. The line should bo pushed on to the Beaumont, and then it would' begin to bo of use, and the Government would not continue to lie out of its money. He hoped that though Mr Mackenzie had left Otago he would still keep its interests to the for©.

Mr M. Cohen said that unless provision were made to construct tho line speedily to Beaumont Otago could make no effective answer to those detractors who depreciated the possibilities and capabilities of the country. Two legislators had affirmed that the line had 1 to go to Roxburgh, and two Prime Ministers had assured the settlers that the line must go forward. Mr Mackenzie himself had borne testimany to the capabilities of the Clutha Valley as a fruit-growing district. The possibilities of settlement by cutting up holdings such as the Teviot Estate and Mr 'Wood's property, were very great, quite apart from fruit-growing. Mr Moritzson supported the statements of the preceding speakers There had been a slight mistake made about the amount required to carry. the line to Beaumont. The sum required' was about £20.000. They wanted the Prime Minister to say that the line would be commenced at the Beaumont end straight away at the opening of Parliament, or whenever the allocation of moneys was considered. The Big Hill tunnel would be finished in 12 months, and if the line were not carried on to Beaument it would be partially idle and nonrovenue producing. He urged an early commencement of the line at Beaumont.-—(Ap-plause.) Mr S. J. Brown, speaking on behalf of the Cromwell Irrigation League, referred to tho fact that there had been previous deputations on the subject of irrigation in Central Otago, and said he did not wish to go over the ground again. One reason for that was that the Prime Minister was familiar with the facts. But he would urge tho Prime Minister and his oolleaguirs to take measures to put the work into shape. It had been a matter of talk and deputations, but tho time had arrived wh«n they looked for some piactical issue. Irrigation would be a great factor in the prosperity of Cromwell, but in connection with the scheme for Ida Valley he considered that the Government was beginning at the wrong end. The population there was very sparse, and it was proposed to bring people into the district to cultivate farms, whereas at the Cromwell and Galloway Flats there were people who had been resident there for many years, and had brought up families. There was no occupation for the members of these families, and they were driven into tho city, and population in tho country was disappearing in consequence. He considered that they should have irrigation where the people were, so that they could at once go on to the land and cultivate it. These people did not ask tho Government for Jin opportunity to get on to the iand as a matter of charity. They did not ask tho Government to put trees into the ground, as had been done in some portions of the North Island, but they wore prepared to pay a certain proportion of the cost, and he thought where people were self-reliant and proposed to do something for themselves, a progressive Government should do all it could to help them. Ho trusted that would be the last deputation to Ministers upon the subject of irrigation, and ho hoped the result from the present one would be much greater than from any that had gone befora it. Tho Prime Minister, in reply, said it was evident that Dunedin was in earnest in tho matter of developing its back country, and ho trusted the earnestness would continue. Ho thanked those speakers who had referred in kindly terms to tho important office ho had assumed. He could assure them that as far as Otago was concerned ita interests would never, be forgotten by him. —(Applause.) He was reared 'here, his material interests were still here, and, they could take it from him, he would do his best, within reasonable limits, to advance tho interests of Dunedin and Otago.—(Applause.) Speaking with respect to the Otago Central railway, he called attention

to the fact that from its public investments the Dominion was obtaining a sufficient return to meet all the interest charges it had to pay on its debt, and, that being so, surely it was a proper thing to continue a progressive policy and develop the country. —(Applause.) There was a big problem in Central Otago, and it could only be tackled by a large expenditure. He believed that before they were anything like finished with it a million pounds or two million pounds would have to be spent on a comprehensive System of irrigation alone. It was well known that although the land there was largely denuded of grass the rocks were rich in plant foods, and if they only had the water there would be no doubt as to the future of the district or the value of the land. — (Applause.) As to the remark about the tardy recognition of the South Island in giving it three experimental farms, he had this to say: Three years ago these farms were being decried everywhere, especially by country representatives, who urged that some of the farms should be cut up and sold. The Department of Agriculture now occupied a better position in the public estimation, and it was generally admitted that if New Zealand was to hold its own against the competition of the world the department must experiment and must secure the services of the best instructors that money could obtain to teach our farmers the best methods of cultivation and st on. At present the department was experimenting over a very large area of the South Island. In Otago Central it was experimenting with over 30 different kind-s of grasses, and he thought it might be possible to establish a small experimental station in the district.—(Applause.) Fruit-growing was also receiving attention from the Government, and markets were being found in different parts of the world. As fo- the Lawrence-Roxburgh line % it was time he had made certain statements regarding the Clutha Valley as a fruit-grow-ing district, and he saw no reason to withdraw them. But he did not think the people should wait for the pushing on of an expensive 6ystem of railway. In a country like that they might run up either a light railway or a narrow gauge railway, so that the people resident there today might have a chance of seeing a railway- in their midst in their lifetime. — ("Hear, hear.") The whole question of the railing of new country must come up as a matter of policy. There were many parts of New Zealand that ought be railed. If, a policy was laid down embracing the lines that ought to be laid down, and a certain amount of money was borrowed for the purpose, that policy, it seemed to him. would receive the support of the country, if it was placed before the people in a reasonable and sensible way. The people- should understand, however, that if they supported borrowing for necessary publio works they should not afterwards condemn the Government for doing that which they had supported, especially if their district had benefited by the borrowed money.—(" Hear, hear.") It was not possible for him to carry out Sir Harry Atkinson's promise with regard to the Central Otago line. He had been with Sir Harry Atkinson at the time, and knew how he was impressed with the extent of the country. Mr Cohen had asked that special attention be paid to the line from Lawrence to Beaumont, and he (Mr Mackenzie) would see that that was done.—(Applause.) He would move in that direction as soon as posible. As to the authorisation of the line to Roxburgh, the matter was one for the consideration of Cabinet. However, he would do his best to push tho line on as far as Beaumont.

Reverting to tho Otago Central, Mr Mackenzie said lio had been p.sked if the Government favoured extending this lino as Boon as the Catlins line reached a certain point. "I am in favour of it.'' he proceeded. " I am in favour of doing something for Otago Central when we have taken th© Catlins line to a certain point. But I cannot commit the Government as to what it may do. I must hark back to the cheaper system of railroading for that class of country." Ho added his_ congratulations to the people of Dunedin on tho spirit of enterprise reaching so many representative men in Otago. He himself wanted to Gee Otago prosper pro rata with the other parts of New Zealand.

,^ r Brown said the Minister had not stated the Government's intentions as to Cromwell Flat. V a Prime Minister said that was not in nia department, but was enirely a question for the Minister of Public Works. Ho knew there had been some conflict regarding- water rights and what not. He was in favour of raising money for irrigation. He read the following information which he had at his disposal: Th e survey party is at present engaged investigating the proposal to irrigate tho Galloway. Moutere, Alexandra, and Dunsban Flats from the Manuiherikia itiver. I his survey will take some time, in connection with tho irrigation of tho upper section of the Ida Volley, some preliminary work has been done. About a «™£ "i 11 ' m $ a outfit. «ro employed on the road leading to the site ot the proposed dam in the Manorburn, irnP *^ V "? , \ ™S same to enable material to be carted to the dam site. As soon as practicable a permanent raceman's hut. will be constructed, also barracks for about 20 men The dam itself cannot be constructed until after the winter frosts are over (being of concrete), but it is proposed to do Bomo excavation, and possibly proceed with . the enlarging of the Alexandra Bonanza race, construction of a telephone line from Moa Creek or Poolburn to the dam site, and any other,preliminary works which it is practicable to oairrv out during the winter. Similar works in connection with the roolburn dam may also be put in hand, but these are not so important. An overTli. ,s amvm 8' next week to take charge ot the work, and as soon as the winter is over a start will bo made with the Manorburn dam itself All material will be taken up to the site in the meantime. T}ie raoecutting on the flat country is a comparatively small matter, and will not be taken ir> hand until shortly before water is available. He added that he would wirato the department for information on the question put by Mr Brown. ; Mr Cohen said they knew of the difficulties concerning Ida Valley, and whether there was to be one dam or two. But they wanted to know about the irrigation of the Cromwell and Alexandra Flata. These were two separate propositions, both extremely payable. If the Governnrenb would allow it. thev would be taken up by private enterprise to-morrow. Was tho Government going to put them in hand? Was the race required by the Government on Spear Grass Flat to be utilised for promoting settlement or not? The Prime Minister said his ' reply covered that point. He had said he personally was not aware of what was being done, but y would wire to tho department for information. Mr Moritzson said that tho position was that the people east of Clyde had both a railway and irrigation; but the people beyond Clyde had neither, and none had been promised them. If they were to be given a ejiance at all this matter should be takon up at once by the Government, or the people should be allowed to do the irrigation work themselves. Tho Prime Minister:. I don't think the Government would permit that. It is a scheme the Government must do itself. Mr MacDonald, the Minister of Publio Works, is coming to Otago, and I will ask him to go over the ground. He is a progressive and a practical man. Mr Sidey thanked the Minister for receiving the deputation, and for his, generally speaking, encouraging replies to their requests.