MR. MASSEY IN REPLY.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13420, 18 March 1914, Page 2 (Supplement)

MR. MASSEY IN REPLY.

The- Prime Minister at this stage suggested that he should reply to each deputation as they placed matters before him. Before doing so he thanked Mr. Atmore for the cordial welcome he had extended to him, and Mr. Field for his congratulations. It was, he said, true that the Government v had not been able to bring about all the reforms they desired, but ho assui*ed Mr. Field that they hoped to effect them during the next dozen years or so. {daughter .and applause.) Regarding the ' extension of the railway to Murchison it was true that work had been suspended, but it was suspended because of the financial difficulties in which the Government were placed. Operations, however, had been only temporarily suspended. (Applause.) Ho had heard a great deal about the producing country about Murchison, and he hoped to see it the next day. During the past two days he had had an opportunity of seeing a great deal of the country within a radius of 90 miles of Nelson, and speaking as a practical man he was surprised at the producing capacity of the land both as regards pa-storual; agricultural and fruit growing. El-everting to the railway, Mr. Massey said that he knew it was the intention of the Minister of Public Works this year to ask for a substantial grant for the continuation of this line, and, added the Prime Minister, "I don't think there will be any difficulty about the matter." (Applause.) Mr. Massey expressed surprise that Nelson had been neglected by the Tourist Department, and a pretty strong case had been made out by the speakers. "If Nelson has not been sufficiently advertised from the tourist point of view I will see that it is in the future," said the Prime Minister. Regarding the Maruia hot springs he remembered this matter being brought before Parliament by the member for the district, and Mr. Massey promised to do what he could to advertise and develop them if necessary, and he would refer the matter to his colleague, the Hon. Mr. Rhodes. Regarding scenery preservation, that was his own Department as Minister for Lands, and without hindering settlement, personally he agreed that, it was the duty of the Government to preserve the beauty spots of the country for the benefit of the generations to come. Regarding telephone communication with the Rai Valley he thought he could promise that. The Postmaster-General had the matter "in hand. Far more had been expended in telephone extension than ever before,- and it was only right that Nelson should have its share. (Applause.)