THE NEW BROOMS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143787, 10 May 1912, Page 2

THE NEW BROOMS.

ALL WORKING HARD. THE RAILWAY SYSTEM. Per Press Association. . CHRISTCHURCH, May 9. The Hon. A. M. Myers, Minister of Railways, who arrived in Christchurch this morning, spent an exceedingly busy two hours before luneh. Deputations, public and private, succeeded one another with no breathing space between. When the last had been disposed of, Mr. Myers made a brief statement touching, the object of his visit to the South Island. “My tour of the South Island,” Mr. Myers said, “is taken with a view of examining the railway system and of meeting the officers of departments over winch I preside. It is essential that one should have some personal information in regard to any matters before adjudicating upon them. As I intimated Jo one deputation this morning, it is contemplated that the railway facilities at Christchurch station shall be increased, and to that end I am being furnished with full reports by my departmental officers. Everywhere I go 1 find that, owing to increased traffic, demands are being made for improvements. This I view with 1 some satisfaction, as it discloses the fact that the demands are mado because of the increased development of the country. It is my desire that tho Railway Department should recognise their responsibility as public carriers, and should give every reasonable facility to our customers. It is quite clear, however, that this, like every other question, is governed by the all-impor-tant question of finance, and one has to recognise the financial aspect of affairs before coming to a final conclusion. Tho policy of the department will be to carry out those of the demands which are most urgent.” The Minister was asked whether he would say anything on the question of railway extension, particularly as affecting the South Island Mam Trunk line. “I fully recognise tho important part transit plays in the development of our Dominion,” he said, “and while there is such an enormous portion of its resources still undeveloped the Railway Department has by uo means reached its ultimate form. I believe that it is desirable always to obtain the fullest-data and information first, and it is impossible to launch a comprehensive scheme until that has been done.”

A largo deputation, representing the Fruitgrowers’ Association, was introduced to the Minister by Mr. Geo. Witty, M.P. Mr. 'Witty said that at one time timber for fruit cases was carried free on the railways, but owing to’ the selfishness of timber firms, which sent for timber 350 miles away, in order to save a halfpenny a case the concession whs withdrawn, and free carriage for a hundred miles was substituted. The deputation wanted to ask for free carriage of timber from the nearest milling district. Failing that, they asked that a half white pine measurement be charged of not more than l:\d per case. They were really paying- 2td per case in the meantime. At present the “shocks” had to bo put in bundles, and that was objected to. The deputation suggested that the concession should bo. made only to bona fide fruitgrowers. The Minister said that the fruit industry was an important one, and was capable of expansion for export purposes. The Railways Department was anxious to givo every facility for the carriage of goods, but it had to conduct its business on business lines. He could not give the deputation an answer at once. He believed in-putting everyone on the same footing, but the matter would have to be fully considered as affecting the whole country. He would make inquiries into the matter, and let the deputation know the result. THE PRIME MINISTER. DUNEDIN, May 9. The Prime Minister returned from the south this morning, and soon afterwards w r as waited on by several deputations. A deputation which represented tho Dunedin Expansion League urged the extension of the Otago Central and Lawrence-Roxburgh railways, and irrigation in Central Otago. In reply, the Prime Minister said that the interests of Otago would never be forgotten by him. He believed that between £1,000,000 and £2,000,000 would have to be spent on an irrigation scheme apart from the railways. As the Government would be doing some experimenting in Otago it might be possible to establish a smaller experimental station in Central Otago. The Prime Minister suggested a system of light railways for tliis district. He would see that special attention was paid to the LawrenceBeaumont railway, and would move in that direction os soon as possible, but the question of authorisation to Roxburgh was a matter for the Cabinet to decide. Ho was in favour of extending tho Otago Central railway when the Catlius line had readied a certain point, but he could not commit the Government on that point. Tho Prime Minister will leave for the north to-morrow afternoon to inspect the crop experiments at Mount Royal, now being carried out by the owners in co-operhtion with the Agricultural Department. He will then proceed to Fairlie to attend a banquet to tho Hon. T. Buxton. On Saturday he will leave for ■Wellington. He will probably return to Dunedin in about three weeks’ time. THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL. CHRISTCHURCH, May 9. Mr. H, G. Ell, Postmaster-General, was entertained at a complimentary social given by his constituents to-night. The Hon. A. M. Myers was also present. Mr. Ell quoted a number of figures relating to tho growth in tho postal and telegraphic business. In the course of a short speech he-said that it was his intention to extend as far as possible among tho masses the benefits of his department, including the extension of telephones to communities at present cut off from ordinary civilisation. A PAINED CRITIC. The Dominion says: “There is really more of pathos than of anything else in the manner in which the members of the Ministry are whirling about tho country. They opened their career with professions of an intense anxiety to settle down to the work of administration, and although tho nation is well aware that they have no right to promise anything dr undertake anything—lacking, as they do, either a majority in Parliament and the country or any right to occupy their present positions—they might have gained a little credit ami some sympathy before being sent to tho rightabout had they left all this peltv business alone. Unfortunately for them, they had no plans—nothing more than vague professions—even so for as administration is concerned. But they had to make some show of doing something, and tho easiest thing is to race over the country- at the taxpayers’ ox-, penso, making speeches, attending bau-

quote, and making themselves the hnigb-fj ing-stock of all sensible people. There . js note. Minister who can be rolled-upon : to bo present in Wellington for tliree j days together. Perhaps -we ought neb to complain, though': the rountry can,; easily pay the bill that Ministers aro-j running up in their anxiety to have-’ the time of'their lives while they cam'; Indeed, it is almost worth the money . to enjoy watching the childish eager- : jjoss of Ministers to enjoy to the utmost the delight of free, nay lucrative, travelling and of the quaint homage of | the, little townships they visit. Bub-.j how can .these holiday-makers square 1 their amusingly zestful use of their lunvt privileges with their professions of"| anxiety to reform the had adlministra- j tion which they extolled so whole- ! heartedly before they were _ photo—j graphed as the Mackenzie Ministry ? ! For our own part, we do not think any-, thing is suffering very much from their ; absurd behaviour; at any rate, judging by their behaviour, they would not be likely to do very much good even if they; did attend to business at headquarters.”