IN THE FAR NORTH.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1711, 31 March 1913, Page 4

IN THE FAR NORTH.

A LAND OF POSSIBILITIES. (By Toleeraph—Special CorrosoondenU Auckland, March 30. "My trip through the North has been ii particularly interesting one," said the lion. W. Fraser, Minister for Public Works and Acting-Minister for Finance, to a "Herald" . representative on Saturday. Mr. Fraser has been travelling for a fortnight- on the Northern Peninsula, and has completed a more extensive tour of this part of tho country than has ever been undertaken by a member of recent Administrations.

"It is indisputable that it will be many years," Mr. Fraser said, "before a considerable area of the land can be profitably occupied, but there is a largo area of excellent land, more, indeed, than I expected to find, judging from tho reports of tho North which have been current. '■

"The roadinjj of tho country is cpstly," said tho Minister, "owing partly to its configuration, partly to tho extent of timber-covered laud, and to the considerable area of Native lands, which do not. pay any rates for the construction and maintenance of roads. The difficulties of local bodies are accentuuted by the fact that tho roads go for long distances through lands from which no rates whatever are collected, and the Government recognise# these hardships.

"The North, however, is not yet one quarter developed," snid llr. Fraser, "and with knowledge'l have gained during my trip I liopo to be able to make good use of the money at my disposal, wliicli can bo spared for the furtherance of settlement." ■