THE COUNTRY’S REQUIREMENTS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 1 August 1901, Page 4

THE COUNTRY’S REQUIREMENTS.

[Pee Peess Association.]

WEt-niNGTo;*, July 31

Two deputations from districts outside of Wairarapa waited on the Premier and the Minister of Public Works to-day to urge upon them the necessity of facilitating the laying down of lines to open up the back blocks and afford the settlers an opportunity of developing their sections.

To a deputation which sought to secure the services of Government in instituting an electric tramway from Pahiatua to Makuri, the Premier said that the people interested.should come down with something definite. The best thing would be to submit a Bill to Parliament giving local bodies power to pledge the properties and rates for the undertaking.

The Premier replied in the same strain to a deputation regarding a light line of railway from Mastefton to Weber. Another deputation waited on iho Pre. mier in reference to the di abilities unde r wkioh the Oropuhi Kerosene and Bhal 0 ooy suffered. It was urged that th

abolition of the duty on kerosene and parriffin wax had resulted in a loss to the Company of £95,000. Before the alterations in the duties was made last year the sum of £75,000 had been spent on machinery. The cost of raising the oil was lljd, and all obtainable was 7d. The payment of a bonus was suggested. The Premier replied that until the Company showed that it had earned the bonus he could not commit the Government to any obligation in the matter.

In reply to a deputation of single taxers Hon. Mr Seddon said that large estates wore increasing despite the number which bad been acquired for settlement. The intention of Parliament to compel the subdivision of estates was being defeated. The Cabinet, he intimated, were now considering the whole question in connection with the reduction of the mortgage tax, and an increase of the graduated land tax.