MATAWAI NEWS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18353, 22 March 1934, Page 8

MATAWAI NEWS

DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS MR. K. S. WILLIAMS’ VISIT (Humid Correspondent.) An informal meeting of friends was held in the Ivlatawai ilall on 'J uesday evening to meet Air. J\. S. Williams, ALP. in welcoming the member lor the district, Air. J. Hope, who presided, referred, to his long term of office, saying tiiat Air. Williams had represented the Bay of Plenty constituency for Id years, during winch time he had. by his wide sympathies and broad views, and his careful and prompt attention to the needs of the electorate, earned the respect 01 all classes of the community. In acknowledging Air. Hope’s introduction, Air. Williams said that his visit was unexpected, it having been his intention to tour the district before the Minister of Public Works arrived, but owing to pressure of work, he laid only now had the opportunity of accompanying the county engineer to find out the needs of the district in view of the Estimates, in order that lie might determine their importance. Air. Williams invited questions, and Air. Hope asked about the quota concerning the dairymen, to which Air. Williams replied by referring to Air Baxter’s visit to the Dominion and his contention that the British farmers wanted only to guard their own interests. He said that New Zealand had a good name ill England, and Imped our country would retain it by discussing our problems in a friendly spirit; and that the rise in wool and sheep values should help, as many shoep men would give up dairying, and some had already dono so. Messrs. Fleming, Riddick, Blair and Rutledge asked further questions dealing with the position of the New Zealand dairy farmer, including the derating of farm lands, and an alternative route for the transport oi stock in this area, Mr. W. L. Rutledge suggesting Iho old track from Te Wera, via Alangapohatu, coming out at Ruaioki, as a possible stock route, saying that this would tarn the traffic off the main roads, as they could go via Wharekopac to Te Wer*. Mr. Williams pointed out that it was very rough country. “The Napier-Gis-borne railway would be the best stock route,” he said. In the discussion which followed on this topic, Mr. Riddick asked if it would be possible to have a new engine for the local train, and Air. Blair clinched matters by saying that one visitor had said he did not know of any other place where people could travel at Is an hour Air. Hope then made inquiries about the working of the Central Bank, and the question of exchange. The Government policy of appointing boards came under review, being criticised both favorably and otherwise. One speaker said that half of them were amateur, not expert, hut if the Railways Board could co-ordinate both road and rail and be responsible for both, it would be better. Another speaker asked if, in the event of a reduction in tariff, the exchange with countries under depreciated currency would be the same or ho increased. He referred to the yen and the dollar merely as examples, saying that the yen had already depreciated from 2s to Is 3d. At the conclusion of the. meeting the chairman again thanked Air. Williams for elucidating the knotty points in Ins answers to questions, and expressed pleasure at the member’s visit to Alatawai, realising, as he did. the very wide constituency Air. Williams had to cover. Mr. Williams thanked Air. Hope and the ladies and gentlemen present, and promised a return visit in the spring. Another matter that was mentioned to Mr. Williams hv the chairman of the Mutawai School Committee was that of a free dental clinic for the children of this district. This request received a sympathetic reply. The Alatawai Dog Trial Club’s annual fixture commenced to-day in good weather. There was a large attendance and the dogs ran well, but owing to the number of entries, the results for Class T are not yet available. Several competitions were well patronised by members and spectators, and afternoon tea was served from a marquee on the ground.