OTAGO RAILWAYS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1520, 16 August 1912, Page 8

OTAGO RAILWAYS.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS. NO MORE GROPING AND BLUNDERING. LIGHT LINES. Otago members, headed by Mr. R. Scott (Central Otago) waited upon the Prime Minister yesterday to advocate certain Otago wants. The matters dealt with referred mainly to Central Otago, and to Duuedili in so far as it was concerned with the prosperity of Central Otago.Tho Prime .Minister, in reply, said he was very glad fo meet a deputation composed of members of, the district especially as it. was easier to get. them to understand the financial position, seeing that they knew more about it than outsiders could be expected to know. lie did not suggest that, there was any serious difficulty in making ends meei, but what he was referring to was that money was dearer in Ixmdon that it was two or three years ago. There was more difficulty in obtaining loan monev and the prico of the last loan could'hardh- be considered satisfactory from the point of view of New Zealand. There would, of course, be only a certain amount available for public works; how much he could not at the present moment sav, but in tho allocation of that money ho would endeavour to do. justice to Otago just as thoy would to cverv part, of New Zealand. He wished to say that. Central Otago had, if he might, us.? the term, grown upon him. The first time he saw if. he thought it was a desert, but each time he had seen it since then he had thought more of the country until he had come to believe that a great part of it was not only useful country, but country that could bo made exceedingly valuable. For tli3 cultivation of certain kinds of fruit Otago was, he believed, probably the best part of New Zealand. In Central Otago wherever there was water there was fertility and'he might sav that tie Government intended doing "everything they possibly could to restore Central Otago to its original fertility and even, if possible, to make it better than it was 30 or -10 years ago. His own opinion was that it had been ruined only temporarily owing to insecurity of tenure, grass fires, and rabbits. Efforts would be made with a view to re-grossine the whole country. Irrigation and closer settlement would he the policy of the new Government. In regard to the expenditure of loan moneys the Government considered that reading of the back country, was of most importance. Next in order came railway construction. He had seen all the Otago lines himself and with Mr. Frasor, ns Minister for Public Works, they could fc« sure that Otago would not be neglected seeing that that gentleman was so thoroughly acquainted with tho district and its. requirements. As to telephonic communication that also was part of tho Government's policy, and they would do all they could in the matter, especially in tho direction of giving communication to settlers in the outlying districts. As to lurther railway authorisations, tho Government had not yet decided (he point. The matter was one that rested largely with tho Minister for Public Works. If he said it was necessary a Bill would he introduced and put through this session. In this event Otago would get tile consideration to which it was entitled. The Hon. AV. Eraser, iu supplementing tho Prime Minister's remarks, said ho had in the past always advocated the objects the deputation had in view. Now, however, he spoke not only as member for ANakatipu, but also with a sense of tho responsibility that was upon him as Minister for Public AVorks. It was quite 'true, as had been said, that it was a question of money, and it. was hardly lair to expect from this Cabinet so early a statement as to what works thev could see their way to put in hand at once. As far as. he was concerned, justice would be dono to Otago and to every part of the country. In regard to the construction of railways, tho Cabinet had been thinking of a cheaper form of construction. They would not alter the gauge, because they were sure that would be a mistake. They could, however, make lighter lines of tho same gauge, but they would first get all data concerning such lines. Later on he hoped to be able to inform the House at what lesser cost such lines could be made. The cost now of many of our lines was excessive. That was unavoidable iu many instances, because where quick traffic was required, heavy rails were necessary to carry the heavier rolling-stock necessary for such quick traffic. He believed, however, that in regard to many lines cheaper rails and rolling-stock would meet the requirements for many years to oonio—d£ls,ooo a mile was a very heavy cost. He was surd they should be able to do it at very much less. That was one point toward which he would direct his attention. As to irrigation, he was a firm believer in it, and he was confident that it was only in its infancy in regard to the best methods of applying tho water. Expert information should bo obtained from other countries on the subject—from countries in which irrigation had been brought to a high stage of success. (Hear, hear.) It was absurd going on groping and blundering, and making mistakes when they could take advantage of the work of experts from other countries that were a long way ahead of us. The deputation had his entire sympathy, and as far as he could, with the moneys at his disposal, he would try to meet their wishes.