POLITICAL

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1926, Page 4

POLITICAL

QUESTIONS IN HOUSE. MINING TITLES. Mr Seddon (Westland) asked • the Commissioner of State Forests, Whether, when legislation is being introduced to the House to validate the titles to sawmill areas where were formerly under the jurisdiction of the Warden’s Court, he will at the same time take into consideration the claims of the local bodies on the AA est Coast of the South Island to have a readjustment and a fairer proportion of the royalties on timber, and to have ample time to consider the proposals of the Government? REPLY. The Hon Mr Tlawken (Commissioner of State Forests) replied, Legislation validating Wardens’ timber grants on the West" Coast is now being dealt with and in this connection the matters referred to in the honourable members’ question will.have consideration. ROADING MATTERS.

air Seddon (Westland) asked the Minister of Public Works, -Whether, taking into consideration tlie desirability of helping along the primary industries of the country by giving road access to isolated farm lands, he will at once cause to be completed the road from Greymoutli to Rotomami, Westland ? [Note.— The construction of this road has been under discussion between the residents of Rotomami and the Public Works Department for many Years, during which some progress lias been made. The completion is „ow within sight, and with a speed-ing-up in construction the settlers of good farming-lands would be given road communication with a centre of progress.] REPLY. The II on Mr Williams (Minister of Public Works) replied, The question of road access to the settlers of Rotomanu has recently been under consideration. and the Grey County Council has now concurred in a suggestion made by the. Department that certain funds be transferred from Hanpiri Junction-Bell Hill section of the Grey Vallev-Taramakau Road for expenditure on the Lady Lake-Bell Hill section. This expenditure, together with that of funds held by tbe District Engineer, Greymoutli, will materially hasten the 'completion of access via the Lady Lake-Bell Hill Road, anil the Kotuku-Bell Hill Road.

WESTLAND TOURIST RESORTS. Mr Seddon (Westland) has requested the Minister in Charge of the Tourist and Health Resorts Department in framing the estimates for the current year to make more liberal provision for the opening up of tourist resorts in Westland in keeping with the large expenditure provided for annually -in other centres, which are not so favourably endowed as Westland with natural resorts, but (as he puts it) highly favoured with Government expenditure. RAILWAY EXTENSION. The member for Westland-has asked the Minister of Public Works whether the Government will consider favourably the provision of a substantial vote for the extension of the railway south of Boss to the point already authorised hv Parliament.

'PAPER. PULP. When the Prime Miniter was reviewing the tines of possile scientific Hndntsriiil development in the House he spoke with enthusiasm of forestry. He regarded as particularly striking Sir Frank Heath’s reference to this subject. Growing trees for timber, said Me Coates, did not by any means cover .the whole outlook. It would be necessary to devise means ol pulping our woods, and there was ilo reason wh\ we should not turn our attention to that. One of the first things the Council of Research would have to do would ho to make full inquiries and definite recommendations regarding wood pulping, because we should lie able to make our own paper. It would not pay with some of the present methods, and the problem could not he tackled liv getting out an expensive .man to’ make recommendations and then pigeon-hole his report. We must work it out in New Zealand as Australia had done,- evolving methods which they considered would cut down the c-ost to approximately the cost of imported pulp. We could not shut our eyes to the fact that Now Zealand had a climate particularly suited to forestry. Britain had to import timber to an enormous extent. Europe was having the same experience, and the Dominion would he safe in providing forests for not only its own demands, hut far the world’s markets. Tn !hlditon. there were the by-products, which were often more important, than the main product itself.

THE TOWN MAJOR. “During the war we. all knew the town major, wljo held down a job at the back of the line,” asid Arc W. S. Glenn (Rangitikei). “He lived in a deep dug-out covered with several feet of concrete and steel rails. He never came out of his dug-out, and he never got promotion. Ho .just stayed on there, his job heing to direct troops where to bivouac.”

Mr Glenn went on to compare tho Ministry with the town major. Ministers had dug in deep in their dug-out, and had refused to give a decision on the site of the Agricultural College. * Mr Coates remarked that he was never a town major. * Air H. E. Holland: But both you and Mr Green were majors at the war. (Laughter). The Prime-Minister remarked to Air Glenn that he had sometimes wished he had been a town major. Afr Glenn: I’m sure you did. It was a good job. Air Harris (Waitemntn): AYas he ever decorated f Air Glenn: No. He was never decorated. Air Coates: I thought it was the usual thing. Air Glenn : T’lii sure the Alinister of Agriculture will he decorated eventual!. (Laughter).