PARLIAMENTARY PARTY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15456, 26 February 1921, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY PARTY.

THE VISIT TO WAIKAREMOANA. LESSONS OF THE TOUR. VALEDICTORY SPEECHES. N4TIER, this day. 'Die l'arliamentary party a visit to Waiknremoana proved a unique event, and marked the largest gathering ever seen at Lako House.- Commencing amongst the thermal wonders of Rotorua, the East Coast Parliamentary tour practically terminated last night at historic Waikaromoana, the sea of rippling waters. Everyone unanimously declares the tour to have been a great success, especially She educational aspect. The partycovered approximately IECO miles, the tour being remarkable for the splendid organisation and entire absence of motoring mishaps, whilst the weather, although satisfactory ns a whole, varied sufficiently to demonstrate the great handicap under which the district labors. The visitors carry home the pleasantest memories of the generous hospitality of • the entire district. Everyone declared I himself tin avowed advocate of the jus- [ f ice of the claims of the East Coast. Members for the district, in placing their requirements . before ' Parliament, will certainly bo reinforced by the cooperation of some of the best inembers of the House. If is only necessary to repeat that the lorn- has boon a complete revelation, whilst it also afforded the East Coast one of the best advertisements it has ever had. Just as Iho North of Auckland tour has brought, big results to that district, so we may expect genuine assistance in securing the progress of advancement so long ■ withheld from what undoubtedly ’is the biggest area ol neb, fertile* undeveloped country in the Dominion. Every credit is relleeted on those responsible for the organisation of the tour,_ tlio visitors beiug duly delivered at Napier at 6 o’clock last night safe ami sound after a journey covering about fifteen hundred miles. Fortune smiled on the touring party in respect to weather, although tlie adverse conditions under which the ears negotiated the road to Moveve, and to a lesser extent Sunday’s sudden storm north of the \\aiapu, only served to prove and justify beyond a shadow of a. doubt everything that had been said respecting tbs isolation of the East Coast. Had the control. of the weather been in the bands of the organisers of the tour they could not have staged this result to bette effect. The greasy road ' conditions to which Gisborne's main artery road were suddenly reduced by a few hours’ rain cannot fail to create a lasting impression in the mind of every member of the party. To think that such a big wealthy district is entirely dependent on the weather for overland access and is at the whims of the elements was frequently conceded all round to bo into! erable, especially when such conditions are compared with the splendid road, railway, and harbor conveniences of other parts of the North Island. Mr Ngata unquestionably Lit the nail on the head, speaking at Wairoa, when lie declared that the main road question Napier to Hicks Bay, should bo placed on the same footing as an arterial rail way, raising the whole problem to on< of Dominion importance, especially ii view of the absolute necessity of greater-production to meet the insistent demands of the financial situation of the whole Dominion. Summarising the position as it appear., to be, the general impressions created amongst visitors mainly are as follows Complete surprise at the extensive are? and uniform richness of the Gisborne and East. Coast- territory; the ncknow lodged claim upon flic public funds V provide facilities more in keeping wit! those of ol]ior districts of the Dominion ■ the importance of a progressive develop ment programme; adequate main” road facilities should precede the railway: the unquestioned prosecution of the East Coast railway; a- vigorous policy of closer settlement, especially in l'espect to the large area of suitable land nort! of Gisborne • sympathetic attitude to as sist the Maoris to realise the aspiration: respecting the settlement pf their owr lands; and last- but not least, the greai importance to the whole Dominion tlia' would result from the harnessing of the enormous water-power of Waikaremoana After experiencing a local tropica! downpour, as Mr. Lysmtr expressed it on the way to Morere on Wednesday it was only natural that members o' the Parliamentary party looked forward to a repetition of .similar greasy condi tions on the run inland to Waiknre moan,a on • Friday morning. Perfec' weather, however, prevailed, and with a sroqd drying wind the roads quickly dried up. In any ease the road is no'metalled almost'to the foot of tlio Wai karemoana'range, and further extensive contracts are being let- in view of the hydro-electric development. Tlio firs' indication that- tlio Government liad at last decided to carry out this important undertaking was found in the fact that a stall' of workmen under the Pul,lie Works Department were engaged widening the road at a point about half-way to the lake, at a point where the road skirls beneath a high rock . cutting. Completo data is being prepared foi widening and straightening the road at many points, whilst tlio bridges artall being strengthened or rebuilt to takr a load of 30 tons. A brie/ stop was made at a Maori prbeneath this lake, where was seen road formation work in progress. Two access roads are being formed, the first a dis lance of about 70 chains to the site o r the power bouse, and the other 43! chains to the site of the intake. Bridge are required cm both roads. Tlio work is being satisfactorily carred out byMaori labor under native contracts. The main features of the undertaking were outlined by Mr., Armstrong, who indi cated the point where the water emerge: in a subterranean passage from the lake above a small lake utilised as a collect ing basin. The water is taken from there by a short tunnel through a ridge and conveyed into, massive pipes to tin power station below the fall at about 4CO;t. of hydrostatic pressure, representing approximately 170 lbs. to . I lie sonar, inch. One could thus readily follow the effect of this pressure cm the turbines below, affording a very great working pressure. It was proposed tv have several stages of development and. reserve, probably . about 1000 li.p. for Wairoa. With • an enormous reservoir above and a splendid head, the scheme afforded great scope for future' development. Everyone was immensely interested in the’ proposition and the remarkable simplicity of the great project came as quite an eye-opener to all concerned. This impression . was greatly intensified when a few' minutes later the cars completed the big climb to Onepoto and emerged suddenly at . the edge of the Sea of-Rippling Waters. A steady westerly" breeze blew with invigorating freshness off the lake. Waikaremoana. true to its'ancient reputation, presented a rippling sea of majestic clialin. 11l is has been a tour of surprises to tlio visitors, but Waikaremoana was the surprise of all, standing as. it does 2015 ft. above sea level, equalled, so Mr.’ Parry informed the writer oil the occasion of a previous visit some years ago, by only, one other scheme in the whole world. • Resuming.the journey round the lake glimpses were obtained of the rippling sea with its beautiful bush setting, hold rockv headlands; and majestic Panikeri Bluff. - - Wilikaremoaun, batliqd in glorious

sunshine on Friday morning, was seen to S best advantage. The road to tlio accommodation hoii.se is in' a" sad state ol I disrepair. One or two points, were negotiated with difficulty. Duke House was reached at midday. There was a big collection of cars pulled up there, the gathering including visitors from Wairoa, representatives of the luhoe tribe from both the Urewera side and the Waikaremoana pas. Their flag, whicl is only flown on state occasions, was displayed, from the flag polo at Lake House. In providing luncheon for tlx big assemblage, Mr.- and Mrs. Dixon certainly rose to the occasion, and were generously assisted in this connection by the thoughtful action of Mr. Gem one and tlio natives of an adjoining pa, whe were most assiduous in their efforts on behalf of the welfare of the party, and were ably assisted by several men employed in effecting additions to the premises, also some taxi-drivers. In the afternoon the party divided, a majority spending a pleasant four hours in launch, inspecting various arms of the lake. Others visited Wnikareiti or indulged in boating and fishing. Once more at dinner time the manager and his staff excelled themselves, a feature of the splendid repast being pork cooked in native liangis in the old-fashioned way. Meanwhile ' addresses of welcome were extended by groups of Tuhoo Maoris. There was. something decidedly pathetic in this small uneven group, represent ing a remnant of that last civilised 4,ribe, driven to their fastnesses in the neart of the Urewera. However, this welcome was none the less hearty, more especially as the natives were delighted at the presence of Sir James Carroll and Mr. Ngata. In the course of speeches they urged the completion of the road •o Waikaremoana through the Urewera Country. Altogether about 150 visitor! partook of. dinner that night, including a large parly of. natives, who with Mir James Carroll at their head, sat down to a hearty meal. Songs and hakas were rendered with enthusiasm, and imidst the ancient native setting of his torio Waikaremoana Sir James, during that brief blit happy stay, lived anew in the spirit .of his great ancestors. Once more ho was a great rangitira and his soul revelled in memory anc association with his simple Maori people. That evening the party reached wliawas termed the parting of the ways. Ui the morrow they-were departing to llieii respective homes. It was a memorable gathering that assembled in front o Lake House, where for several hour; the members of the party recapitulated their impressions of the tour--impres ions which doubtless will linger loiq and to each of them they bid adieu but not farewell. Mr. Ye itch (Wanganui) voiced the thanks of the party to the Wairo; people for their generous hospitality Ho assured them that the efforts wer, neatly appreciated, especially those o the Maori people of Waikaremoana. ID ompliinented them on the industry eon necked with public-works. Mr. Armstrong declared- that the kind ness was most sincerely appreciated. IT •spoke of tlio educative value of the tour uid said Waikaremoana was one of tin rreatest electrical schemes, said by Mi Parry to be the next finest scheme In knew of in the. world. Tt comprised a> immense area of water, which at an alii ude was convoyed into a natural collect : ng basin and delivered through a shor' tunnel into pipes above the power st? ion. Nature had given them a smooth hillside for the pipes, and a level site ’or the power-house and attendant build IHgSMr. Gibson, chairman of Wairo? County, acknowledged the expression o banks. He pointed out. that six year: igo the Government handed over the •oad to tlio county to maintain. It was lraotically a tourist road, with unrate able property. The council had no funds f o keep the road in order. Ho also urg id that the accommodation house was quite inadequate and out of date. -Somehing bigger was demanded for modern equirenients. Sir James Carroll, in a typical speech, ’eclared that the party had reached the itirting of tlio ways, which he felt had ■reived too soon. They had gained com auionship, having travelled many miles seeing important districts, and gaining entact wif.li different, settlers. Every liing had been bereft of any discord an' liaracter. They had established ’.lemorics which would never be material v effaced. On the business side what iad been seen and heard would enricl heir store of ‘ knowledge and tend U riden iJteir vision in regard to the lieees ity of the country and tlio needs of the leople. A new page had opened ii heir history in respect to the know edge of the condition of tlio land, and ill felt it must lead, to some advantage hat consideration would spend itself in lie exercise of their legislative duties. They said au rovoir but not goodbye. Representatives of the South Island had ecu brought nearer to the Maoris, and io trusted the lesson gained would re- • ilt, in meting out fair dealment in dial ever may be the policy for immediate concerns and the future. They iad discovered prospective potentialities vbicli lie trusted by their help would >o materialised. The speaker's eloquent •omarks were followed by the rendering if a native lament. Mr. K. S. Williams (Bay of Plenty) eforred to the strenuous times the\ had Jiad. » He appreciated the sacrifice bat members liad made in order to make the trip, also the kindly way the bad fallen in with all arrangements. ID was glad the tour bad been such a sue css, because they liad come to undertend each other better. He spoke preciatively' of Sir James Carroll’s re marks, and #!is glad members Jiad had r ■lersonal opportunity of-seeing the woi-l lie natives were doing, removing mir ■ouceptioris. Ho always believed the Maoris, if given a eliancc, would make -rood. He hoped in the future the' ■could get a fair chance to paddle theii >wn ' canoe alongside the pakelia. Mr. Lysnar said he would go away D’eliii" that the time had not been lost. The object mainly was to give an oplortunitv to understand the vastness and importance of the large district, which had not been understood. Our requirements were Dominion requirements. - A good deal liad been said on the native question. He had tried to avoid anything debalive. but be stood second ib none, either Sir" James Carroll or Mr. Ngata, in his sole object, the complete advancement of their interests and those of the Dominion. They did not all see eye to .eye, but he recognised'that the ■time;,had come when they would agree with him arid try to protect the native one way and another. His idea .was .to give t-lie native a chance to better himself; if bo went down it was only bis own,fault. He complained tbat tbe lands of the natives bad been lost through trusts. He contended that the land unused must be made available'To settlement. He also urged that all the bush to the skyline of tho Take, bo inade Yi national reserve. They must not let the magnificent bush be destroyed, lie thanked WillcinsoVis for their splendid staff who had piloted them. through an especially, wet and greasy rckid, very reliably without' a mishap in the whole tour. He thanked -Mr. and Mrs. Dixon f or the way they had treated them 'at Lake House, and ’ declared that additional accommodation- was urgently need-

ed. In conclusion, SiO : said they asked no favors from members, but simply for help in the development of the Dominion where expenditure would give iOs return to the pound. Mr. Ngnta said they had begun the four at romantic Rotorua and concluded it at one of the most romantic but less known resorts, Waikaromoana. lie expressed pleasure at being associated with he party. The personal relations were xcellent and the visit would be of great ■ducativb value. He concurred in Mr. ysnar’s remarks as to the able manner in which the transport had been manzed. Wilkinsons lmd excelled them•"lves, also the Essex car supplied by Redstone’s attached to his party. He 'oncluded with a splendid elocutionary ’Sort on scenes from the past. The tarty had been able to see the East Coast conditions themselves, and representatives of both Parliament and press iow understood what ‘they bad been doing to help the Maori people take a uller part in the history of the" Dominion. Mr. Witty (Riccarlon) declared that ‘he hospitality had been unbounded. The way they bad carried out the whole 'our was wonderful. They had covered ill except nine miles to Hicks Bay, the whole programme. It was a wonderful performance. There had been many Parliamentary tours, but he had nevei ravelled with a more campanionable or agreeable party, which was due large V to the organisation of the tour. They iud created friendships whicli would lever be forgotten. There was kind less ail the way through. They had go< o see justice on both sides. The Maoi vas the weaker and would get the helj of him. Mr. ITockly (Rotorua), remarking oi , he weather, said that the rain expert need was fortunate, ,for it had brougli >me what the district had got to pu up with. If that was a local tropica Power, heaven help them m a flood summing up the tour, he said : We have ome, we have seen, and you have con prered. Acknowledgments were made i. epresentatives of the press, and tin ..lvere, and kindly sentiments expresses wards them. Mr. G. C. Ormond urged that it was •ccessary to preserve the bush and main .ain the water of the lake for hydro zleclric purposes. He urged that tli. .overnment should take the land and is ue debentures and pay the natives ii. crest. tic hoped another big gathei ig would be field at Waikaremoam. .lihin a year and that every mefnbe, i Parliament would bo present. The proceedings concluded with the sing mg of Aukl Lang isyno and Un National Anthem. The Parliamentary party ‘arrived a. .apier at seven o'clock, utter a length,, .rip of about 120 miles from VVaiKaro .loaiia. The visitors were cuter lamed t dinner by the East Coast Railway and .evelopmeiiD League in the' Masonk .otel.. {Subsequently the party were ac jorded a civil welcome in tlio Oounci numbers. Mr. Vigor Brown, who pro sided, extended a cordial welcome o' ..■half of the citizens of A'apier. lit xplained tlio difficulties of communica ion and of native land settlement ii no past, and the requirements of bettei ouds and railways to get produce tc markets. It was felt tiiat they coulcmt allow the visitors to arrive withou .mending a welcome on lie half of'Unpeople of Napier. He Imped the ex /erienco would benefit them in their 'ailiamentary duties. <s Mr. McLernon expressed a welcome com the League. He said there was uperiod of feeling of helplessness respect mg the East Coast railway, because rc resentntives from Tauranga southwards ailed to realise the'' position and- unite m bringing pressure on the Government iiat feeling had largely disappeared, nanks to ' the co-operation .of tin lawke's Bay and East Coast members le hoped that when their representa ives were urging the prosecution of tin. ailway, \\ aikaremoatiu. power, alsi oading of tlio East Coast and Bay r c; /lenty, the visiting members would lent, ssistanco in bringing pressure to beai n the Government to do justice to Ilia •ich territory. The visitors had seen tin errible-roads and they knew liow utter y isolated the district was. They a; he Napier end were, of course, .inter sted in- their own end and (lie tinrnedi le neighborhood, but the past organ isoion of the East Coast Railway and lie elopment- League fully recognised , tin pecial claims of the East Coast road fapier tp Gisborne, the outlet from t’airoa by the W'aikokopu railway, am oading back of Whakatane. They die ot want to decry in any way the claims bieh other parts of the East' Coast pm before them during the tour. They ha jeen up to To Araroa, which, ho had i.sited ofteil. and he knew of tlio dan erous condition of these roads and ivers. -lie regretted they had not gon -iglit round from (Jpotiki. He hey. 'would support a plea for tliosi oads, especially those giving an outle o the very rich Gisborne district, wind as capable of great development am iddiug to the wealth of the whole Doninion. Tlic Napier Chamber of Corn nerce, and Employers' Association dt ired to bo associated in the cordigl wol f ome. Mr. Hockly (Rotorua) expressed tin thanks of tlio party for the kindly ho; litality, which was in keeping with, hut experienced right throughout th our. Tlio primary object of the toil vas educational, the country to the isitors having been a terra incognita } most. Their tour had been an untoubted success. The weather throughou •ad been splendid except for a brie, storm on (Sunday, which rendered h .ccessary to return back across the vaiapu. They had also experienceu .hat Mr.' Lysnar termed a tropica. 1 shower between Gisborne and Morere shower which lasted eight hours, and Horded a thorough idea of the way tlioj lo things on the East Coast. Tlio trip ■ad been a great success and a complete evelation to all to iind the great extern of fertile country right from Hicks Bay Mr. Witty (Riccarton) said they neve, ireamt of such a coiuitry as they founo jn the East Coast. Roads were badly leaded. For the most part it was dificult to run a railway. He- spoke o die splendid work on railway construedon at Waikokopu. Tlio progress was niique, also- the amount of work they aw beiilg done by tlie 'Maori people. They had not only seen but felt- the 'roads, especially to-day on the trip from lie lake, lie regretted to see blackberry if the southern end of the district. He rqnialked that the Waiapu district ap. poured Very free from • dv eeds. A most .serious problem, ho went ion to say, was ' lie bridging of the rivers of Waiapu, jn account of the shilling'nature of the country and the rivers taking full control. Mr. Veitch (Wanganui) said there was no part of New Zealand that ho had known less about‘ than , the East Coast. There were great problems on the East Coast which required great' thought on die part oi ,the. people arid Government. Transport was utterly inadequate. There were no harbors, and no railways worth speaking - about, the ' roads were very poor, ■ the roading question alone presented many difficulties; but he was quite satisfied they had engineers to deal with the same. -What was required was a complete plan of development of the whole East Coast district, in" order that no money be spent in a wrong direction. He recognised there wits a lot of country unsuitable, but there was a very great deal'specially adapted for subdivision. There was room for an enormous increase In --.products. The Waika-re-rnoaiia hydro-electric..power scheme had greatly impressed qvc-ry' member.-of the

-party, especially. .the simplicity of the whole project-and the enormous power capable of development. It was a great oily it was nos being pushed on more apidly. lie could conceieve do mouey that "would ho expended which would 1 , ’■el urn greater vafue than the Waiknrennana hydro-electric scheme.. The .'.Give land question, and settlement of laoris also required consideration. They -•ere all much impressed with the splenlid cordial relations between tlie pakehas d Maoris, which was'.the result of the . ■ rly settlers in the district having been -crupuluously .honest- in their relations with the natives. There was no time o discuss the native land question. He 1 . d never been a deep student, but as the result of his visit, he had become keenly interested and had made up his inind he would study the problem. There was no question as lo the result of the tour. Tlie whole party was exceedingly grateful for the hospitality throughout the whole tour, and the ' iuable information which had been supplied. Mr. Vigor Brown remarked that the replies, were very satisfactory, especialwhen they learned that the trip had '■-'■oil such an eye-opener to the visitors, who would assist local members in their ■’quests for roads and bridges and the ipening up of the country. The proceedings were of a comparatively brief nature, owing to every member being exceedingly tired after the strenuous day’s journey. The visitors Eft for .South by this morning’s train. A special appeal for co-operation of be. Gisborne district was made to _ a Herald representative by Colonel Mithell, who is also secretary of. tlio. Cental Progress League, Wellington. Col. Mitchell said be. would be glad of the ssistanee and co-operation of the Gis'orne league. His league would bo glad o exchange monthly reports on the process of the various public works. He hoped the result of the tour would be i bat the Gisborne League would keep •o closer touch with his Central Pro--ress League in order that they might 'earn what was q-oing on elsewhere in he-Dominion. The East Coast railway •as classified as a- first railway in the policy of the Central Progress League. It- was the most important railway in’ Tie Dominion. So far as they, Wellingon, were concerned, they had been enleavoring considerably to push it forward. but unfortunately at times they hi Wellington had felt they were not Telling active support and backing from’ he . residents of the districts concerned Miat they thought tliev had a right to expect.—Herald’s Special Correspondent.