HON. W. FRASER AT PONGAROA

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2136, 30 April 1914, Page 8

HON. W. FRASER AT PONGAROA

BACKBLOCKS ROADS. (Br Teleiraph.—Press AssociaUpa.l Pongar&a, April 29, The Hon. W. Fraser, Minister of Public Works, accompanied by Messrs. Sykes, and Escott, M.P.'s, Jlr. C. W. Janes, president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, and. Mr. J. Macintosh, vice-president, arrived here to-night, via Eketahuna, The Minister is making a tour of the baekblooks, in accordance 'with his promise given when he visited the district last year in connection with the railway on the East Coast. Mr. Fraser had a hoarty reception, and. was banqueted by tho Mastcrton-Waipukurau Railway League. The. Minister's great interest in tlio back-blocks was eulogised by speakers.

Mr. Fraser referred to the necessity of good metalled roads from the backblocks to tho railways, and indicated that he would make provision en tiro Estimates for metalling the roads leading to Dannovirke, iCketabann, and l'aliiiitua. New Zealand securities were now in good reciuest by investors, and ho eonstraslcd this vrilh tho shortdated loans of the pres'iotjs Government, which were taken tip by speculators. He commended thu "Primp Minister's proposal for raising a special loan for roading the hack-blocks, and lie thought it would be a good thing if the loan were raised. Thi-re wore plenty of applications for money. The Minister leaves for Daniiovirlie tomorrow.