COUNTRY RESOURCES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1027, 18 July 1930, Page 11

COUNTRY RESOURCES

SOUTHERN MATAMATA DISTRICT DEPUTATION TO MINISTER THE SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter PARLIAMENT BLDGS., Thursday. To a deputation representing the Matamata County Council, the Taupo Totara Timber Company, the Putaruru Town Board, the Putaruru Chamber of Commerce, and the Tokoroa Progress League, the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. W. B. Taverner, today gave assurance that the resources of the district comprising the southern part of of the Matamata County and a portion of East Taupo County would be investigated with a view to their rationalisation. The deputation stated that it was a simple business proposal that the improvement of transport and financial conditions in the area should be investigated. Originally what was now the Matamata estate was condemned, but through the foresight of the Liberal Minister of Lands, 26 years ago, the land had been developed, and within half a mile of Matamata Post Office there were now four dairy factories with production amounting to £1,000,000. The request of the deputation was that under the regional planning scheme of the Government an investigation should be made to co-ordinate the resources of the district, thus ensuring permanency for the private railway line, so that cheap manures could be provided for settlers. The Government was asked to continue for a period the subsidy on the transport of manures. In reply the Minister said he thought he could give an assurance that the investigation would be made, and the Government would be prepared to assist to the best of its ability. Scientific research was proceeding apace in New Zealand and from the reports he had received it- appeared that the Dominion was on the verge of a discovery that would enable the problems in the area to be overcome more easily than was thought possible before. The Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. A. J. Murdoch, was also present, and said he would consider the point raised regarding the subsidy on fertilisers.

The Minister of Railways, the Hon. W. A. Veitch, said he had already made up his mind as to what attitude his department would take concerning the area of bush in the region, but that could be included in the announcement of the Government’s decisions.