The Daily News. SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 1913. OUR REQUIREMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 209, 5 April 1913, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 1913. OUR REQUIREMENTS.

If, the sympathetic attitude shown and the promises given by the Prime Minister and his colleague, Mr. Eraser, to the various deputations yesterday are translated into deeds, the people of North Taranaki will have reason to be grateful. In connection with the principal matter of concern to the local settlers—the construction of a light railway from New Plymouth to Opimake—the Ministers evidently were convinced, fiom what they saw and heard yesterday, of the necessity for constructing, the line, either by the Government or, if that were financially impossible, by the settlers themselves. Mr. Fraser was very fair and very frank about it. He was quite satisfied the line was needed and that it would pay. He appreciated the tone of the settlers—that if authority were given them they would, if the Government could not undertake the work, do it themselves. "That is the way to talk,'' he said; "people who talk that way deserve, assistance." The Premier was equally frank and explicit. The Government, he said, would not take 'jp a dog-in-the-manger attitude. If they could not build the line, they would not prevent the local bodies from building it, reserving the right of the State

to resume it at any time at a price not exceeding the actual cost. This is quite satisfactory. Nothing more could reasonably have been expected from the Ministers in the circumsUnees. Settlers are in a hole, and the only way out is by building a railway line, That is why they are prepared to construct the line themselves if the Government cannot see its way to put the work in hand in the near future. Closely allied to. the improving of communications down the coast is the settlement of the West Coast leases difficulty. The case was put very fully and ably before the Prime Minister by several deputations, particularly by Mr. E. Maxwell, whose remarks, which cover the whole of the position, and display a masterly grip of the subject, we publish elsewhere. The Premier was sympathetic, and promised that Cabinet would give the question favorable consideration. He further predicted a solution would be found that would prove satisfactory to all parties. Wo trust his sanguine anticipation will be borne out by results. The question is one bristling with difficulties, a fact which the present Government are evidently discovering. Still, the ilillicuities should not be insurmountable. In regard to the Mokau bridge, Mr. Eraser promised the deputation that he would ask Cabinet to cancel the tenders that bad been received for an improved punt, and put on a .small punt to keep open

I "'■• communication unlil money was ! available for a. bridge. He added that lie did not believe in piinK bill: bridges. Tliis is one of Hie most, ur£renl, works in file Dominion, and it. is a reflection on the Covenunents of tlie past that ifc has not been provided before. Tor the Minister's offer the settlers will be grateful. In other matters. .Ministers were equally sympathetic. The granting of pensions to veterans without, regard to their financial position a reasonable request that the Government should have granted last year; pushiny on (he. work at this end of the StratfordTe Koura railway; opening up the Oh ni'a, and the several minor requests,, all met with a fayoraWf t&pojjga

from the Ministers. It now remains for them to convert their promises into action. If they do so, they will have rendered Taranaki valuable services.