OTAQO CENTRAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1101, 13 April 1911, Page 6

OTAQO CENTRAL.

DEPUTATION TO MR. MASSEY. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Duncdin, April 12. A largo deputation representing the Central Otago ar.<l Lawrence-Koxuurgh Leagues and business men of Du'j'jdin, waned on Mr. W. F. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, this morning to place, before him Die needs of the undeveloped portion ot Otago and to enlist his support. Several speakers referred to the longdelayed promise to construct the. Otago Central railway and to the large areas awaiting development. It was stilled that ihe districts concerned could carry a much larger population, but many-settlers had become .disheartened on account of the promise, to build the railway not being lulfilled, and had left for t)\e North Island.

In the course of his reply, Mr. Massey said he had visited Central Otago three times, and the more he had seen it the more ho was impressed with its possibilities. Continuing, he said:

"I agree very heartily that Central Otago 'is ■eminently adapted for closer settlement, but on my recent visit what impressed me. more than anything else was .that although you have great possibilities for great development, very little. has been done to devolop~_vour natural resources. There is no doubt about the fertility of soil with water, but very little indeed has been done. On several occasions Ministers in their official capacity have expressed tho opinion that lines that havo. been commenced cannot possibly be made to return their rate of interest on construction.- Having seen the country, , I don't agree with that opinion. I have not fcen the part referred to beyond the terminus, but as far as the country I have seen is concerned I nm convinced it could carry twenty settlers for every one (hat it carries at present, and probably carry them well."

He went on to speak of the "fruitgrowing industry, which he believed was going be one of the most important industries of the Dominion, and said he was quite sure Central Otaqo would not be behindhand in the matter of frilit production. He was satisfied Parliament knew very little indeed of Central Otago. He suggested that application be made to the Government for a commission to inquire into the possibilities of the proposed railway, the population to be served, area of country, productiveness, and probable rate of interest the line would pay on cost of construction. If members of Parliament had that information it would lie of tremendous, benefit, end he believed it would be a good thing for the district. •