PARLIAMENTARY TOUR

Otago Witness, Issue 3494, 22 February 1921, Page 23

PARLIAMENTARY TOUR

(From Our Own Reporter.) ROTORUA, February 14. T 1 le tour of tiro members of Parliament | who are visiting the East Coast district began in earnest to-dav. A start was made at 5.30 a.m., the tourists returning at 8.30 after having travelled 100 miles. Four South Island members —Messrs Kelleff. M itty, M’Callu-n. and AI m ore —were included in a party which visited part of a timber plantation containing 60.000.000 to 70.000,000 trees. estimated to produce 20.000.0-00 feet of timber annually, rising to ZO.COC.OOOft. The ICaingaroa PI :ins and the late prison camp were inspected, ids., the Wniotapu Valley, which is considered a good route for the proposed railway. An inspection was made of the Reparon soldiers' (settlement of 28.0C0 acres, which was bought for £2 19s 6d an acre. Pome soldiers who are paying' £l6 and £2O an acre complain of the high rents and the transport, from Rotorua. £3 10s a ton. Deputations urging the nece-dty for railwavs and roads and freedom to deal with Native lands were given sympathetic replies. ihe party were entertained at several places, and returned very tired and covered with pumie dust. February 15. The parliamentary party this morning visited the electric power station at Okeve, and in the afternoon had a conference with -delegates frm tne Chamber of Commerce, County Council,-and Farmers’ Union. Mr F. F. Hockley, M.P., presided. Local speakers urged the necessity of a workable system of local government for the town of Rotorua whereby the residents might control town affairs. They also stressed the need for the settlement of Crown and Native lands, railway from Rotorua to Taupq, the improvement of roads, the dealing with noxious weeds (especially on Crown and Native lands), more effective methods of collecting rates on Native lands. It was staff'd that on a block of 100,009 acres of Maori land the rates on the unimproved value amounted to £520, and only £3 was collected. It was useless attempting to obtain a lien against this land, as there was no registered title to which to attach the lien. The need for additional electric works at Okeve was urged. Members were evidently impressed by the. representations!, and made sympathetic replies. Vv HAKA LAKE, February 15. The East Coast parliamentary party, leaving Kotorua i.n tne early ciauiq and ski rung the lake, already glistening under the rays of the sun, pushed along the Waiotapu Valley, a bed of naked upheaved earth, with sulphurous fumes, in the soft light reminiscent of Milton’s nether regions. Gn the east side ranged the forest-clad hills, all planted by prison labour. Thence oyer a bridge the party plunged down a winding road, past slumbering Native viliag os, along mites of road hewn from tho cliff faces above Lake Rbfroiti, across which Tiatupatu dived in an heroic age long- gone. Ttie taint far hills mirrored in the restful water, and suffused in tile rays of the morning sun looked a veritable abode of peace. Tiie cars clashed through the ancient lorest, where stands stately Hinekcpua Pakau Tipau, the enchanted tree in which dwells the spirit of ifi.nekopua; and where reverent Maoris lay offerings of raurekau leaves in propitiation. Thence the party proceeded by Rotou back to Rotorua, where a lleet of cars was waiting. Here a fresh start was made to cross the mountain range which runs along the coast. This involves a steady climb through tiie forest glade, and then a nerve-tingling rush down a serpentine road clinging to the mountain’s breast as if afraid of falling to the gorge 100 ft below. The native bush, massive and beauteous, towers high on either bank. Along this tortuous track in 1823 Ilongi hauled ins war canoes—a gigantic task. Pushing out of the gorge the Bay of Plenty, bright and peaceful, burst into view. The country is covered with Tarawera’s ash. Whale Island looms in front, the stately cone of Mount Edgecombe and fearful Tara worn on the right. At le Toko, on the Rangitaiki River, the party breakfasted; thence they went on to the Otakiri Soldier Settlement, on the plains, to inspect the cheese factory; then along the Rangitaiki River to view the crowning feats of engineering in the diversion of the river at Thornton ; back through avenues of maze, past fields alive with cattie, to .Vwaken, on the other side of the plain. Seven years ago this was a swamp. Mr F. I’’. Hockley, one of the organisers, stated that the tour had been a huge success and splendidly organised. Everyone was greatly pleased and very much interested and impressed with the wonderful strides the district was npiking. OPOTIKI. February 17. The Parliamentary party which is touring through the North Island entered the Urewera Country to-day, and was welcomed by Maori chiefs and presented with handsome mats. The hakas and speeches were interesting-. The Maoris from the Urewera Country are performing the major part of tho work on the East Coast railway construction. The -Kukuhou, Kutarere, and Woodlands soldiers’ settlement, on which are 21 soldiers, was also visited before arriving at Opotiki. The party drove many miles through the rich lands of the district, where the effect of fire-blight on hawthorn hedges was plainly visible. Stringent measures are being taken to cope with the disease. SIR JAMES CARROLL HONOURED. GISBORNE, February 18. The parliamentary party arrived at Gisborne early in the evening. Later the visitors were tendered a civic reception, when addresses were delivered by the Mayor, Messrs Lysnar, K. S. Williams, Matthews (chairman of the Cook County Council), Sir James Carroll, and Corson (president of the Chamber of Commerce). Replies were made by Messrs Luke, Hawkon, Mitchell, and Atmore. The speakers stated that they were greatly impressed with the possibilities of the district, and had never scon better country in their lives. There was need for more population and access to developed country, thus increasing tho dominion's product! veness. During the proceedings an opportunity was taken to make the presentation of an address and a cheque to Sir James Carroll, as the district's tribute to lus parliamentary work for tho past 32 years. The Mayor, after paying a tribute to Sir James Carroll and Lady Carroll, presented tho address and the cheque. Mr L \ in nr paid a tribute to the guests, and said Sir James Carroll had only one public fault—he was too loyal to party and former ideals.

Mr George Witty said he spoke as tho oldest member of Parliament present. He had sat in the House with Sir James Carroll for 17 veais, and their guest earned tho respect of every member of Parliament, irrespective of their views on polities. Both Europeand Maoris were proud to have such a man represent them. lie paid a tribute to Sir James Carroll's work for tho din ric-t. Mr W. A. Veitch (Wanganui) referred to the advice and assistance of Sir James Carroll in Parliament,. especially to younger mem: er.s of the House. Addresses were also delivered by several rqir.inent local citizens. Sir James Carroll, in the course of an eloquent reply, referred to his early career in polities, and said a great responsibility lay in the hands of present nu mbers to carry on the work of their predecessors. He did not seriously contemplate recurring political life. He thought that after 32 years it would be unwise to ;o back again. _ Perhaps it was better that younger men should fill the responsible positions in the country. He was satisfied with his career, and had little to regret. February 19. The parliamentary tourists left at 9 o clock tins morning for a three days’ tour of tne East Coast. Sir James Carroll joined tne party prior to its departure from Gisborne The- visitors arrived at Tolaga Bay at noon, and were welcomed by the residents _At luncheon Mr Poland, chairman of the Uaw a County Council, after a cordial welcome, said tiiat the Uawa County was tho only new county which had been formed in 1919, but it had raised over £IOO,OOO for roads and bridges, of which £58,000 was ioi main roads. Next session it is intended to ask Parliament to sanction proposals for a harbour, costing £70,000. He hoped that the visitors would support its member iu every reasonable claim. Mr lx. S. Williams, member for the district, said that Tolaga Bay would be better served by securing a good road from Gisborne instead of pressing- for a railway. 11c did not agree that because the district was sparsely settled it should be neglected by the Government. If the Government gave the district facilities it would soon attract population. Mr R. Masters (Stratford) replied on behalf of the visitors, and paid a tribute to the residents for their enterprise. Later tiie visitors left for Ruatorea, arriving at 7 p.m.