THE PREMIER ON TOU R.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2113, 12 February 1908, Page 3

THE PREMIER ON TOU R.

THE QUESTION OF NiATIVE LANDS.. IMPROVEMENTS AT TE AROJIA. >TE AROHA, Fob. 11. (Sir Joseph Ward arrived in To Aroha ibis afternoon from Frunk.ton. En route the. Promier stopped at Morrinsvillo, 'whore ho was entertained at luncheon by the townspeople, and received a deputation .on local matters. The chief subject brought under his notice was in connection with two large blocks of nnitivo land abutting on Morrinsvillo township., which the 70 Native ownera were anxious to have dealt with ; by the Native Laud Court, and their interests individualised, so that they might deal with Europeans tor .the land. The deputation urged that the request of the Natives might he acceded to, pointing out that there was an area of 14,000 acres, in two blocks, that had never been eultivat?u replviug. Sir Joseph said that ho could see no objection to the .holding of the Court- at Morrinsvillo, and apoko of the detriment to all concerned .of native lands being idle or of indifferent use. Ho said that some .reform would bo made to ensure that .Maori lands should not remain locked up for a lengthy period. Other local requirements brought under his .notice included a .telephone exchange and .post- office, appointment of a registrar of births, etc.. Magistrate s .Court, riilo range, enlarged school site, financial aid to the now Town Board, and roads for settlers in the .Piako county. •Mr. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, accompanied the Premier as far as Morrinsville, and from there Messrs. Merries and Gre.onslade, ,Ms P., came on with him to le Aroha, where Mr. Poland, M.T., joined * On arrival here, Sir Joseph and Lady Ward were entertained at a garden -party, and in the emuse ot an address the Premier said that since the 'Tourist Department assumed of the To Aroha. Domain, in January, 1903, the receipts had totalled £7947 and expenditiuo r>i t .3Q4 ~Ho Outlined the imthat the proposed impiove meats included the erection of T hospital at an estimated cost of £I2OO, for which a site had been purchased at a cost of £2vo, and a Sew tea house to cost £6OO was in abeyance till next July. Ho stated that provision would be made for a new railway station at To A roll a m next year’s Estimates. He further defended the Now Zealand railway system against the detamatorj state Seats which he said had been published in certain American journals, and characterised them as uncorrect and disloyal. _ On finance he declared the Dominion’s present position to be stronger than ever before, and said that the American financial panic had not and would not affect us. Sir Joseph leaves by motor car in the morning for Paeroa, and will visit Karangahake in the afternoon, returning to Paeroa the same night. On Thursday he will proceed to AVaikino and AVaihi, and at the request of the Mayor will accede to the desire of the AVaihi people to give an address there on Thursday night.