THE HON. W. FRASER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 97, 19 December 1912, Page 6

THE HON. W. FRASER.

(Per Press Association.) Hastings, December 19

The Hon. W. Iraser, Minister of Public Works, spent two hours last evening with the members of the Hastings Chamber of Commerce formally discussing matters of interest in Haw kes Bay. He emphasised lus policy of devoting to road-making the restricted funds available. His Department regretted having to discontinue for a time many railways commenced by their predecessors, but the railway was useless unless fed by roads, and one railway completed, even if only payng one per cent was better than twenty uncompleted lines. He looked upon the East' Coast line as one of national importance, and promised that the money would be placed on the Estimates next session, and the work proceeded with. He deprecated wasteful expenditure and assured the Chamber lie would not sanction expenditure for expenditure’s sake. Pie was having full inquiries made into the working and advantages of light railways in other countries, and if found satisfactory he hoped Parliament next session would sanction the extension of the system in New Zealand. * Tiie Minister, accompanied by MiHolmes. chief engineer, left for Wellington this morning and on Tuesday proceeds to Auckland.