OTAGO'S REQUIREMENTS

Otago Witness, Issue 3614, 19 June 1923, Page 7

OTAGO'S REQUIREMENTS

TRE-SESSIONAL CONFERENCE. S YMPATHIOTC R EPLIESThe annual pie-sessional meeting cf members of Parliament with the Otago Expansion League ami other bodies was held in the .Somerset Lounge, Savoy Buildings, on the 11th. Mr C. Todd (president of the Otago Expansion League) presided over a large attendance of representatives of various local bodies, who had matters of importance to bring under the notice of the lion. G. M. Thomson, M.L.C., Messrs T. IC. Sidey. M. P. (Dunedin South). J. Horn, M.P. (W akatipu), and J. Edie, M.P. (t lutha). The Mayor (Mr H. L. Tap ley) was also present. Mr G. J Errington (Expension League) spoke on the deviation and duplication of the Pert Chalmers railway. Mr E. Tamblyn spoke on the extension of the railway from Miller’s Flat to Roxburgh. Mr S. B. Macdonald referred to the importane of the Tu-ipeka Month railway. Mr C. Todd (Expansion League) spoke on the subject of Central Otago, the southern lakes, and other subjects. Air W. B. Steel (Expansion League) dealt with the roads from Alanapeuri to Te Anau anti the Alilford Track. His remarks being supplemented by Mr D •Jennings, representing a number of Otago University students. Air H. AY. Jones (Chamber of Commerce) spoke on the carriage of fruit on the New Zealand railways. Mr A. E. Anseli (Otago Alotcr Club) spoke on the Highways Bill. Professor White re ferred to the offer of a large telescope by "Yale University, end the subject of the Taieri tioods was adequately dealt with by Alessrs A. P. Fleming, W. G. Reid, 1. Miller, and R. T Stewart. After explaining the objects of the meet ing the chairman said their members of Parliament were a very loyal lot, and when they reached Wellington they had a little talk before deciding on the best way ot achieving the objects in view. So far they had got very good results in consequence of the representations made to their members of Parliament. Air Tcdd prcceedea to read apologies from the Hon. Alark Cohen, M.L.C., the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, the .tion. C. E. Statham, Mr J. M. Dickson (Chalmers), J. A. Alacpherson (Oaniaru), and J. Bitchener (Waitaki), all of whom expressed regret at thtir inability to be present, and stated that they would be pleased to do anything in their power to further the imeiests of Dunedin and Otago. Apologies were also received from Alessrs ILumua Reeves and T. Somerville. A J EMBERS’ REPLIES. The lion. G. AI. Thomson said their influence did not lie very much in the House, but in the pressure they could bring to bear on Ministers. With regard to the Port Chalmers line, he had always been a strong advocate of making the deviation as rapidly as possible. lie had every sympathy with the Tuapeka Mouth people, but he felt that the policy to be supported was that emphasised by Air Coates some time ago. That policy was not to have a large number oi small lines going ahead a little bit, but to carry out certain lines in progress and then go ahead with the others. He favoured the extension cf the railway to Roxburgh first, and then concentration on the Tuapeka Aiouth railway.—(“Hear, hear.”) With regard to tourist resorts, he felt sure that the official head of the department was very keen on hi 3 work, but the department had been starved for years, and they wanted a very much advanced policy. He believed it was up to the Government to look into the possibilities of a place like Nasebv, where a splendid winter resort could be established. The Alilford track should be made into a good road from Ltimsden, and ho believed that it would pay to make it good. The flooding of the Taieri was a question for hydraulic engineering of the best type, and the Government must take the matter up on a big scale. IJe supported everything connected with Otago matters, and he was sure Air Sidey got the same support from the members of the Upper House as from those in the oiher Mouse. He believed that if they could move the Government they would secure the Yale telescope. The acceptance of this would entail a continued charge of £I2OO a year. They should put every effort forward to get this telescope down to Otago, and lie thought they could get it if they all worked together. Air Thomson concluded bv -lying that he would continue to use his best efforts for the ’advancement o-f Otago generally. Mr T. K. Sidey said their work in Wellington would be lightened a little as a result of the recent visit of Ministers of ■ Crown to Dunedin. Speaking with regard to the Taieri floods ho said that something must be done on different lines from what had been done in the past. He thought the original proposal to take over the lands wa.3 likely to be unacceptable, and he would suggest that those specially interested

should set up a committee which would be ready to act on their behalf in considering any proposals that came before Parliament so that some definite scheme could be evolved. He felt that the responsibility rested on the country and it would be for their representatives in Parliament to see that the Government faced the task. Speaking with reference to the Tuapeka Aiouth railway he expressed the opinion that there was a lot of reajly good land waiting to be opened up. and a railway should pay well. It was clearly the original intention to take the Lawrence extension to Roxburgh. He thought the views expressed that night regarding roads were urged by the Otago members last year, and he agreed with everything that had been said on this point. They had been very slow in realising the value of scientific research. If the most suitable area was taken there was a good chance of Central Otago being selected as the site for the Yale telescope. He did not think th ere was one request in which the Otago members were not in full sympathy.

Mr J. Horn supported the request in regard to the Port Chalmers fine, and said ne was very pleased to help in that direction. During last session he made representations to the Hon. Mr Coates with leference to the Lawrence-Roxburg'n Tailway, and had been informed that none oi nie engineers had been removed from that line, and that before any were removed, he (Mr Horn) would be informed. When he went to Wellington one cf the first things lie would see the Minister about ", as me Lawrenee-Roxburgh railway. Ho thought it was most essential that the railway should be carried to Roxburgh without ,T, * le speaker expressed the opinion tnat the vast amount of grain grown in the Tuapeka Mouth district was a reason for the construction of a railway there. He brought the Otago Expansion League was doing good work in opening up tracks to the tourist resorts, and in this connection e expounded on the glories of Lakes Hawea and Wamika. In passing, he urged frn C T t° f w - 3teamers should be shifted im .l Ti W-tfatipn to Lake Wanaka. SO mu h ,ght , nothing would do Dunedin beaußful f°° d as -r the °? en, PS ° f these two 1 kes ’, He sympathised very much uith the people on the Taieri. If the engineers put their heads together on th» Ws suggested by Mr Stewart the Government would be able to do something for the plain right from Waihola almost to -viosgiel He hoped that some of the funds derived from the taxation on motors would be devoted to the hack country.- He thought tm.t when Parhament met there would be about £200,000 to the credit of the road tund from the tyre tax, which he believed was about the fairest they could impose. bpeaxing on the question of railways, Mr Euie questioned the wisdom of laying down good motor roads, which only competed against our railways, to the detriment of the latter. v.vc-rv pound that was taken rom the railways to give to a motor company was robbing the country. ll e would back up the Taieri people as'much a s possible with a view of having something permanent done, Speaking with regitvd +o roads he thought the tyre tax was the fairest tax on motorists, but he believed toey should have two boards—one lor the North Island and one for the South Island. - le would do h:s level best for Otao-o A hearty vote of thanks to the members of Parliament, to the Mayor, and the chairman was carried by acclamation.