OTAGO’S NEEDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2205, 8 October 1907, Page 2

OTAGO’S NEEDS.

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER.

Special to Times. WELLINGTON, Oct, 7. Tho Otago members to-day put their district’s wants before the Premier. RAILWAY WORKS.

Sir Joseph Ward, in reply, said that no further authorisation was required for the Catlins railway nor tor tho Lawrence-Roxburgh railway. There seemed to be a wrong impression in regard to these lines. All he had said was that no new lines would be authorised this session. As to the vote for railways there would be no larger vote this year. The Government- would do its best and wbat was fair with the money at their disposal. More than that they could not do. They could not make one million provide for works that would require two or three millions. The question of the amount to be allocated for the three Otago lines was a very troublesome one for the Government, but the total vote for Otago would be allocated in a way that seemed most pressing for the requirements of the people. In regard to the Otago Central Railway it had been recognised that Clyde was to. he its temporary stopping place. It had been urged that if it were carried up to that place it would meet the requirements of that'great district that was to be served by the railway. If it were to be continued beyond that point now tho work could only be done at the expense of the other two Otago lines. There would, however, he a small vote on this year’s Estimates to complete this work to Clyde.,—The'Government could not make provision for its extension to Cromwell at present. That was impossible. In regard to the reduction in the number of men on the Lawrence-Rox-burgh line the present appropriation for that particular work was becoming exhausted, and the Government could not do other than they were doing under tho circumstances. All they could do was to offer the men employment on the larger works, such as the North Island Main Trunk line.

‘IRRIGATION AND WATER POWER. He informed the deputation that the Government intended to actively prosecute irrigation, and for that reason they could not see their way to give away the water rights of the Roaring Meg Stream m Central Otago to private persons. Delay from causes beyond the Government’s control had taken place. This locking up of the waters of the colony would, however, not be continued, and the Government intended to adopt a scheme by which private people could make use of the water supply, both for irrigation and for industries in the towns. (Hear, hear.) They would not allow the present position of inaction to continue long. The matter had received the closest attention of the Cabinet. THE FISH SUPPLY.

As to the scarcity and the dearness of fish, he had learnt from a man in tho industry that the cause was the extraordinary demand from Australia. The orders were so largo that those engaged in the industry could not possibly fill them. He was of opinion that the Government must open up fresh avenues from which the people might obtain a supply The Government would bo only too glad to assist. HELP FOR GOLD-MINES

As to new goldfields in Central Otago, he thought the Government should help. Ho would bo glad to go into the matter with the Minister for Mines. NEW LAKE STEAMER.

The plans for a new steamer for Lake Wakatipu were ready, but the Government could not procure her this year, because tho money was not available. He hoped the new steamer would be ready for the 1908-9 season.

THE ANNUAL LOAN. He once more emphasised the importance of completing the North Island Main Trunk Railway before the Christmas after next, as it was a line that had to serve 400,000 people. It was very important indeed that it should be completed. Then greater justice would be done to the other lines both North and South. They could not do all that was wanted unless they borrowed two or three million a year, and that would be a bad thing for the country. Mr. T. Mackenzie: I think you want more than a million. Tho Premier: It would be a ruinous system to borrow tho necessary amount of millions to do what is asked for. WASTING AGRICULTURAL LAND Mr. Mackenzie asked if anything was going to be done about the'waste of agricultural land by dredging. The Premier said the Government had given the matter a great deal of consideration, but the solution of the difficulty had not yet been arrived at.