MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT ON TOUR

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 121, 15 February 1921, Page 5

MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT ON TOUR

UTILISATION OF PUMICE LAND

By Telegraph—Press Association. Rotorua, February 14

Tho Parliamentary party to-day visited Waiotapu, Kaingaroa, and the heparoa soldiers’ settlement. They made it their special concern to observe the growth of various grasses on pumice lands. While recognising that very good work has been done, members of the party expressed a desire to get detailed information concerning the cost of bringing the land to its present state. At Reparoa they went over a large area, mooting the settlors ou their faims. It was recognised that good work was being done, but that progress was retardeel bv the high' cost of transporting building ‘material, implements, manures, etc The party was entertained at luncheon in the Waiotapu Hall, with the Reparoa settlers and other residents. Mr. E. E. Vaile presided and brought forward the requirements of tho district, stressing particularly the urgent need for a railway between Rotorua and Taupo. He stated that, the settlers were prepared to bear a portion oi the cost bv a levy on their land«. Messrs. Ha«ken- Atmore, Mitchell, and Hockly, M p ’s* spoke, expressing themselves as pleared with the class of land they had iome through. They realised the urgent need for improved communication and that the land to be successfully utilised must be closely settled.. They assured tho settlors of sympathetic consideration of their requests. Tho party visited Mr. Vaile’s Broadlands Estate. The members on the whole, are distinctly impressed bv the magnitude of the work done by ‘the Forestry Department at WhttkareiWewa, Waiotapu, and Kaingaroa, but are not favourably impressed by the roads, some of which are very bad.