HAURAKI DRAINAGE.

Waikato Times, Volume 101, Issue 16896, 9 September 1926, Page 6

HAURAKI DRAINAGE.

SCOPE OF COMMISSION. .MR T. W. RHODES COMPLAINS. “LET DOWN” BY THE MINISTER. (By Telegraph.—Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. On Ihe introduction of the third Imprest Supply Hill, which makes provision for appropriations for £1,252,600, Mr T. W. Rhodes (Thames) complained that tic had been badly let down by the Minister of Lands (lion. A. D. McLeod). He had. he said, been led to believe that a Commission would be set up to inquire into matters affecting the Hauraki Plains, and the Minister had • recently indicated for the first time that the Commission would only apply to Patctonga district, which was in the Oliinemuri constituency and not in Mr Rhodes’. Subsequently the Minister agreed that- one small matter affecting drainage in the Thames electorate should be inquired into, and during the election the Minister had repeated that he was about to set up a Commission. He (Mr Rhodes) did not want to misrepresent the Minister, but tie wished to know why he had been let down in this manner. It was not right. A Minister of the Crown had gone back on his word, and he regretted it was so. He had always been ready to admit that any statement from a Minister would be fulfilled, but in this instance lie could not do so. He was very disappointed with the present position. He received on the 27th of last month a letter with particulars of the order of reference. The Minister’s Reply. The Minister of Lands (Hon. A. D. McLeod) stated lie. had always regarded Patetonga as being in the Hauraki drainage district. He had no intention of slighting anyone, and he had acted in good faith in proposing to set up the Commission of Inquiry immediately. A statement was made in the House that ttie Commission was not wide enough, and lie had asked the member for Thames to inform him of other questions that might be Included in the order of reference. Suggestions had been made which would have taken the inquiry beyond what was intended. , Mr Samuel Satisfied. Mr A. M. Samuel (Ohinemuri) stated that at a meeting in his electorate the promise of a Commission had been mentioned, and on making representations to the Minister the Commission tiad been set up. The Minister had fulfilled his promise, and that was all. Whether that promise should have been extended to other electorates was not his concern.