PARLIAMENTARY TOUR

Otago Witness, Issue 3495, 1 March 1921, Page 22

PARLIAMENTARY TOUR

NATIVE LAND QUESTIONS. GISBORNE. February 21. The Parliamentary party continued its tour. An address of welcome was presented by the Xvlayor of Waiomatatini at the Hon. A. T. Ngata's residence, and various chiefs urged the assistance of Parliament in connection with land matters. Replies were made by Mr R. Masters (Stratford), and Sir James Carroll. The Hon. A. T. Ngata, in the course of a masterly speech dealing with the Native land question and the Maori land position from the earliest days to the present date, paid a greattribute to the Williams family and Mr George Kirk, sen., for assistance to the Natives. (Since 1906 the Maoris had leased 44,000 acres, which was now occupied by young Maori farmers. Now the Maoris had commenced the bursting up of the commercial system and the consolidation of family interests, and future responsibility would rest on individual Maori families. The speaker quoted the Reporua Station of 4200 acres, with 265 owners, as one of the greatest successes in the dominion. The Maoris had commenced farming Reporua in 1888 with £7O, and up to date had distributed £20,000 in profits. The party afterwards left for Waipiro Bay, where it was accorded a great reception by the residents, and was entertained at luncheon. Messrs K. Kellett (Dunedin North) and Gbo. Mitchell (Wellington South) replied on behalf of the visitors. The journey towards Gisborne was then continued to Tokomaru, where the party arrived in the evening, and were entertained at a public dinner. Mr K. S. Williams, M.P., welcomed the party, and in the course of a speech said that he was certain a speedy subdivision of Maori land wa s the right thing. I) might be years before the railway was put through, but better roads were urgently wanted. Another important matter was a new hostel for Tepuia hot springs. Mr William Oates, a leading resident of Tokomaru, stressed the need for better roads and better educational facilities. Leading Natives also welcomed the visitors. (From Our Own Reporter.) GISBORNE, February 22. The touring parliament ary party returned to Gisborne to-day, travelling from Tokomaru Bay. Vko afternoon was spent in visiting tbe district, including a journey to the railhead of the Gisborne-Nnpier line, which is now 16 n Tes out. The excavation work i- being done by a fleam navvy, which shif'a 309 yards per day a great improvement in economy and expedition on ‘he old pick-and-shovcl method. The line runs through good country. The members of the party were entertained in the afternoon bv Mr W. I). Dysniir, M.P., and were honoured in the evening by a social, at which the members expressed admiration for the district and sympathy with its requirements. lIISTOR TO R EMIN LICENCES. GISBORNE, February 22. Prior to the parliamentary party leaving Tokomaru Bay this morning the members were taken to W.uima to inspect the harbour and freezing works. Mr K. S. Williams' explained the conditions under which the harbour was worked, and indicated the proposals for extension. Mr William Oats, sen., an old resident of the coast, explained to the visitors the early history of the district, commencing with Captain Cook’s visit on his first voyage to New Zealand. It was at Teariiui, a largo village in the hay, that Dr Solvandor and Sir Joseph Bank* first became acquainted with the natural history of New Zealand.

Water was badly needed, and Cook ordered a landing at Tokomaru Bay. Sir Joseph Banks and his company found the Natives friendly and hospitable. In order that the party might return to tile Endeavour before nightfall, the Natives took them back in canoes. Sir Joseph Banks, it is recorded, secured plants of great variety at Tokomaru. The address was listened to with great interest. , The party returned to Gisborne at 1 o clock, and later paid a visit of inspection to Ngatapa, the present termination of the East Coast line, 16 miles from Gisborne, where Mr Armstrong, the Government engineer, explained the position and the forma tion of the country through which the railway was to pass. The visitors were entertained at. afternoon tea at Mr W. D. Lysnar s residence, and in the evening were entertained at a public ■ reception. CLOSING STAGES. (From Our Own Reporter.) m . NAPIER, February 25. lhe closing stages of the tour consisted of a visit to Lake Waikaremoana yesterday and a long run to Napier to-day. The visit to the lake was under perfect conditions,. and the party was charmed with the magnificent scenery and impressed with the unlimited possibilities of the hydro-electric supply. A launch trip on the lake and a visit was paid to historic spots where Maori warriors fought the battles of the past and To Kooti fled from the Crown forces. In the evening the visiting party was suitably entertained, and there were formal leavetakings. On the return to Wairoa the party was reduced in number, the Gisborne section returning home. A party numbering 17 then completed the journey of 128 miles to Napier, and encountered the first tyre troubles of the whole trip. A serious collision was narrowly averted on a dangerous part of the road. Slight damage was done to one car. At Napier the party was entertained at dinner, and there was a civic reception afterwards. The whole tour was most successful and educative. The party travelled approximately 1500 miles by motor ears over varied country, some of which is the finest in the dominion. The prime need is mostly roads, though railways are required in the most settled districts. Special emphasis was placed on the East Coast Trunk line. The members of Parliament express confidence in the future of the Bay of Plenty and Poverty Bay districts, and the promoters and visitors are enthusiastic over the success of the tour. February 25. The parliamentary party, which has been touring the East Coast districts, arrived at Napier to-night, having travelled from Waikaremoana by motor cars via Wairoa. The visitors were entertained at dinner by the East Coast Railway and Development League, and. later a civic reception was held, at which the speakers concurred in a promise that any representations made by members from the district visited would receive the support of those who had made the tour when questions affecting the welfare of the territory were before the House.