THE HON R, M'KENZIE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9509, 5 April 1909, Page 2

THE HON R, M'KENZIE.

VISIT TO THE WEST COAST.

[Fsom Orm Cokhespondbnt;] GREYMQUTH, April 4. . The Minister of Mines and Public. Works has been accorded a magnificent reception in the B idler district, which originally sent him to Parliament. He has been entertained on at least half a dozen occasions, whilst tEis week he will be banqueted at Reefton, Totara Flat, Greymouth and Hokitika. Speaking at a function Mr M'Kenzie said that no doubt they would find him" somewhat different since he had been a ■ Minister, for increased responsibilities brought changes to a man. A Minister had to be very careful of what he said in public. It would be his endeavour to devote to the mining industry the best of his ability. He believed he had always retained the confidence of the working men, and he hoped he would do so until the end. The previous Government was a Government of the masses, not of the classes, and he ' believed that everybody ' should have an opportunity of bettering his position without restriction. They Wished to prevent extremes of poverty and of wealth likewise. ' The resomrces of jhe country, compared to its popular tion, were truly remarkable. The mining industry was yet in its infancy. • If they wanted a .boring machine he was sure they could have one of them for nothing, and he would : make it his business to see" that they : got one. All that the Government re- ; quired was that the district should conj tribute a share of the cost of working it. The prospecting subsidies required to be put oh a -different basis, as much money had been spent for very little return. The existing system was bad, and required revision. As Minister 'of Public .Works he had great responsibilities, having the handling of two or three million of money, and it was his intention to see that they got fair v.alue for the money that was spent. The co-operative system had given satisfaction, and was the best, for Tailway construction, at least. More technical works, perhaps, were not so suitable. 'they had a railway in the district now in the' course of construction, and he would assure them, that they would see Westpprt connected with Christchurch by rail within the /next seven or eight years. (Applause.) If he had his wishes it would be done very much sooner. The harbour works were now in a satisfactory position, though there still remained much to be» done, and would continue to be for the next one hundred years. The Westport Harbour Board was amongst the most successful of any in the dominion. Certain improvements were required, and alterations would, , of course, be needed as the shipping increased. Only a small corner of the coal-fields had yet been developed. They could rest assured that the interests of the Buller district would not suffer while he was in charge 'of the Mining Department. He' had previously remarked/that it took a share of West Coast intelligence to make a successful Government.