SEEKING PEOPLE’S MIND

Evening Star, Issue 20133, 25 March 1929, Page 7

SEEKING PEOPLE’S MIND

WHY MINISTERS ARE TRAVELLING MR TAVERNER VISITS THE CENTRAL A “ NO-SECRECY " GOVERNMENT tSPECUL TO TUB ‘ STAB.’J CROMWELL, Marcli 25. The Hon. W. 13. Taverner, Minister of Railways, accompanied by some railway officials and other Government representatives, arrived at Cromwell on Saturday evening from Queenstown and Upper C'lntha Valley, lu tho evening tho Minister was met by a large deputation of citizens and settlers, who repeated the requests made to the Hon. W. A. Veitch the previous evening. A feature of both deputations was the excellent display of fruit, root crops, lucerne, and tobacco arranged by Mr James Towan, and explained in detail to show the Minister the comparison between irrigated and non-irrigated land. Matters placed before the Minister were; Relief to the Ripponvale settlers by supplementing tho present water service, the irrigation of Cromwell flat from the Roaring Meg source, irrigation for the whole valley by pumping with a hydro-electric, scheme from the “ neck ” of Lake Hawea, land settlement by subdivision, tho extension of the railway to Luggate, a test bore for artesian water at Cromwell Hospital, and relief in taxation on motor lorries feeding the railway. In reply the Minister said tho town and district had a gicat asset iu so many men of energy and willingness to put forth intelligently efforts ou behalf of the district. Ho regarded the deputation as tho most imporant that had yet waited on him. The speakers had an excellent grasp of their subjects. On several matters lie could not give his opinion, but ho would certainly represent these to the departments concerned. The needs of the district were so interdependent that it was difficult to consider one without tho other. Railway extension was a matter of policy for tho Public Works Department, as tho Railway Department’s duty was the running of railways, not the making of them. Motor taxation was now under consideration. He would see what could he done iu» regard to a trial boro for artesian water at the hospital.

As to the Hawoa-Wanaka hydro-elcc-tric scheme, it was going to cost a large sum, and without an industrial loan the district could not justify it. He could not hold out bones for a scheme costing three millions. What the district wanted was a general settlement scheme, which would involve a large sum. He believed the land policy would be pushed ahead iu a manner which would satisfy all. He also Imped that a smaller scheme of irrigation would be gone ou with. He would like to see the investigation on these lines, without involving millions of pounds The Hon. Air Taverner told liis audience that tho financial year would end with a deficit, hut he would not say how much. He hoped that the tourist traffic to the district would be increased by tho establishment of a direct steamer service to Bluff, wliich would be in operation next slimmer. The Minister asked that a display of produce such as that on exhibit he sent to Wellington. The subdivision of runs and land settlement was being dealt with by the Minister of Lands, and he would be pleased to have local knowledge. The statements re tho Land Board would bo passed on to his colleague, and they would see what could be done.

Concluding, he said the Ministers were touring the dominion to ascertain tho wants and get the minds of the people. The Government wanted to restore confidence with the people and to act with them. There had been too much secrecy in tho past, and the Government had nut kept in personal touch with tho people. Their wish was to do nothing secret, _ but to make everybody a party to it. They were going to' tacklo the position in a sincere and businesslike manner, with their aim the greatest good to the greatest number. Ho bad a live sense of his responsibility, and wished the people to regard him as always at their service, with a desire to help iu every wav. He would do what ho could in respect'to the many important matters placed before him that night.