DEPUTATIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 172, 1 August 1901, Page 3

DEPUTATIONS.

REPLIES BY THE PREMIER

[By Telegraph—Press Association.]

Wellington, last night. Two deputations from districts outside of Wairarapa waited on the Premier and 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 to afford settlers an opportunity of developing thoir selections. 11l reply to tile deputation, which sought to secure tile services of the Government in instituting an electric tramway from I’aiiiatua to Makuri, the Premier said that the people interested in it should come down with something definite. The best tiling would bo to submit a Hill to Parliament giving local bodies the power to plodgfc thoir properties and rates for the undertaking. The Premier replied in the same strain to a deputation regarding alight lino of railway from Mastcrton to Weber.

Another deputation waited on the Premier in reference to the disabilities under which tlie Orepuki Kerosene and Shale Company suffered. It was urged that tile abolition of duty on kerosene and paraffin wax had resulted in a loss to the company of .095,000. Before the alteration of the duties mado last year a sum of .075,000 had been spent in machinery. The cost of raising oil was 11 Jd, and all obtainable was 7d. Payment of a bonus was suggested. The Premier replied that until the company showed that it had earned a bonus lie could not commit the Government to obligations in the matter. In reply to a deputation of single-taxors Mr Scddon said that largo estates were increasing, despite the number which had been acquired for settlement. The intention of Parliament to compel sub-division of ostatos was Doing defeated. Tlio Cabinet, lie intimated, was now considering the whole question in connection with tho reduction of the mortgage tax and increase of the graduated land tax.