COUNTIES’ DEPUTATION

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1923, Page 3

COUNTIES’ DEPUTATION

SATISFACTOR Y ()FT( O ALE. TTUSCJAL TO GUARDIAN. WELLINGTON, Feh. 21 The Counties deputation regarding the Timber Royalties to the Prime Minister, was introduced by Mr James O'Brien, ALP. The other Parliamentary speakers were Messrs Holland, Langstone. Hudson and Rhodes The Ministers of Lands, Mines and Forests were also in attendance. Air W. J. Je(fries, Westland County Chairman, was deputed to speak For all the Counties, represented by some 11 in number. Air Stanton, of Taumarunui, is making an additional reference to the case for North Island Counties. Air Jeffries made a concise address, stressing all the facts and bringing out the promises of the Government in the past to help and to see that the local bodies did not suffer.

Hon W. F. Massey in a cordial reply said lie lind no fault to find with what was said. The commission was provided hy an Act. and would he appointed. Finance had been stringent, hut it was now better. The deputation would get the commission, which was in arrears with Cabinet work, but if would now he proceeded with. If possible a Judge of the Supreme Court will be appointed, likewise in regard to an Advisory Hoard under the Forests Act to look into the matter and see what could he done to meet their wishes. The Hoard will not deal with the royalties but with the poliet ol the Forestry Department, which has been costing £IOO,OOO annually, m the past the West Coast received a fanshare of public expenditure, hut it was realised the royalties question was important, and it was necessary to look into it carefully. . Subsequently, the delegates met and appointed Messrs Jeffries and Evans for the South Island; and Messrs Stanton and Hevan for the North Island, to meet Air Skerrett. K.C.. this afternoon and put forward the Local bodies ease for consideration tn the Commis-

sion. , , A vote of thanks was passed to the Westland County Council for their act’ vitics in the matter and bringing a bone the deputation, the outcome ol which Warn considered satisfactory. I hanks were accorded to Messrs 0 Biien ,lM( Holland for arranging the .Ministerial interview, and the Westland County was appointed the Convenor ol ato future meetings or the circulation ol information among Hm ! -ocal l/xlies concerned. , , r , . Hons J. Griiuniond and AL-luUie, Colonel 8011, M.F.. also accompanied the deputation which crowded the Prime Minister’s room. Ihe of Mines indicated he would visit the •West Coast shortly, and go into prospecting matters at - »n a Kin three weeks’ time. _____