A POLITICAL ADDRESS.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 4538, 23 May 1913, Page 5

A POLITICAL ADDRESS.

THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY

Pongaroa, This Day. The Ministerial party was entertained last evening at Mrs Brenton - boardinghouse. The toast of the Ministry was proposed by Air R. B. Robertson, chairman of the County Council. The Hon. W. Fraser was accorded a very hearty reception. Speeches were also delivered by tho various Parliamentarians and Alessrs Alabin (Wellington), Daniell (Masterton), Ellingham (Horoeka), A. H. Herbert (Eketahuua), J. W. Murray, L. Houlbrooke, and J. AlcDonald (Pongaroa). The Alinister afterwards delivered a short political address in The Town Hall. Air Robertson presided oven' a large gathering. Air Fraser, who received a most, cordial reception, said he had not come round to make vague promises, Imt to ascertain the people’s needs.’ It was absolutely necessary that he should come hack again. The Government had only been in office ten months. The people asked them to do in ten months what their predecessors did not do in twenty years. Ho hoped it would not be very long before he could make up his mind regarding the best railway route. He alluded to the utility of motor w aggorts on the roads. He suggested, that the Government should experiment with them, but for commercial purposes they would be better run by private enterprise. Defending the Government, he said that last Session they had given the settlers the first instalment of the freehold. Another Land Bill would be introduced during the coming Session to give settlers the fullest share of the freehold. (Applause). He indicated that the local Government Reform Bill would give the local bodies greater power. Cabinet had not yet decided all the points, but local laxlies should be classified according to their needs and requirements. (Hear, hear.) Parliament could then apportion so much for roads and bridges among the local bodies according to the classification. Then The local bodies could work out their own salvation. He condemned the pre-ent system, as often deserving roads were left out. He was more than pleased lie had visited the district- , _ , , Dr. Newman and Alessrs Sykes and Escort, Af’s.P.. Mabin and Daniell also spoke.

The Alinister’s announcement that ho will revisit the district during the recess w'as received with much gratification. Air Robertson, welcoming the Minister in the afternoon, declared thathe visit was a red-letter day. The Pongaroa railway depntationists yesterday stated that fat lambs sent fiom The district to the Waingawa freezing works depreciated in value on the ionmey to the extent of 3s per head.