OTAGO'S WANTS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 5970, 17 August 1912, Page 3

OTAGO'S WANTS.

• RESTRICTED MONEY FOR WORKS. ■ MR MASSEY AND OTAGO CENTRAL j WELLINGTON, August 15. , Messrs Scott, Sidey, G. M. Thomson, and Statharni, M.P.s, interviewed the Prime Minister to-day to urge x Otago questions on tho Government's [ notice. Tho Hon. W. Eraser was also , present. The Otago member:- nryed extension of the Otago Central Railwily, closer settlement, irrigation, tole- ■ phonic communication, light line*, autkorisation of the Lawrence-Roxburgh . to Roxburgh, easier terms lor water- [ supply to Moa Crock and Voolimrn , settlers, and assistance in the con- \ struction of a road to the top 0 f Mount Flagstaff. L The Hon. Mr Massey replied \\..-\ ... I deputation consisting of members enabled him to make it easier to roa- .' lise tlw diflieulties 0 f finance. Ho did ' not suggest any serious dillhuiiy in ( f making ends meet, but mon v was . now dearer. Only a certain amount ' was available for public works ; how , much he could not say yet. " The , Otago Central has grown on ,me. The I first timo 1 saw it I thought the , greater part a desert. Each time .1 have been there I thought more of it, until now I believe that a great part not only is capable of hec(*:iiin.>useful but exceedingly valuable country." The Government intended, by irrigation and by rrgrassing the hill ' country, to do everything they possijyly could to restore the fertility oi of Central Otago, which had been ruined by insecurity of tenure, lire, and rabbits. " Closer settlement and irrigation will be our policy so far as Central Otago is concerned. We consider roading the back-blocks the most important purpose for loan money. Next comes railways." He had had the, advantage of seeing all the lines mentioned. Extension of telephone communication was also part of the Government's policy. Oab- : inet had not made up its mind as to an Authorisation Hill this session, but if it was necessary it would be done. "Otago *ill get the consideration to which it is entitled." Mr Eraser said he had advocated all the projects mentioned. It was all a question of money. It was hardly fair to expect so early a definite statement of detailed expenditure on public works, but tho Government had no right to occupy their present position unless they did justice to all parts. Data! retarding light lines would be obtained. Gauge alteration would bo a mistake, but the cost of railways was now very honvy, a nd there were .many parts where lighter rails and equipment could advantageously serve the pioneer districts. C 12.000 to 015,000 a mile was too much to pay. As to irrigation, " expert opinion ought to h- solicited from other countries which have brought this to a high stale of success. This policy is one I -intend to give effect to. Expert knowledge of the 'lwst method of applying water to land is necessary, because it is absurd for us to go on groping and blundering and making mistakes when wo can have advantage, of th- experience of other countries which are certainly a long way ahead of us in that respect."