SIR JOSEPH WARD

Hokitika Guardian, 8 June 1929, Page 6

SIR JOSEPH WARD

OUTLINES DEVELOPMENT PLANS

-,By Telegraph—Press Association).

ROTORUA, June 7

The Prime Alinister, accompanied by his Secretary, Air ('. A. Jeffery, arrived at Rotorua to-night. The Alayor, Mr T. Jackson, and the Councillors welcomed the Prime Minister on the platform, after which the party was driven to the Grand Hotel.

Long before eight o’clock the Majestic Theatre was crowded to the doors, in spite of pouring rain, and the queues flowed over the side path into the street.

On entering Sir Joseph -Ward was accorded a tremendous reception, the audience rising to its feet. The Alayor, Air T. Jackson, introduced the Prime Minister. The speaker stressed the fact that Si** Joseph AVard needed no introduction, nor did the audience need any admonition to give hirh a courteous hearing. The Prime Alinister, on ris'ng, wr.« given a rousing ovation. In opening liis speech, be justified tlic acti- n of the Government in stopping the Roto-rua-Taupe railway. He explained that the ground on which the action was taken was that this railway could not pay. The conditions, since 1 the last Commission gave its report, hail-com-pletely changed. Hie motor-.transport had since grown to be a' formidable competitor to the railways. Me-would tell the - audience to their faces that his reasons were arrived at after mature consultation His colleagues. Hie Taupo line should never have been started, and it would never be started again.

The speaker alluded to the inconclur isivcness of the Commission’s report, he'said, one of the members, Mr Monro, did not assent in material points. Sir Joseph announced that, in place df a railway, a bitumen road to Taupo would be constructed. The Administrator, lie said, wanted the money to make Rotorua the tourist centre of the Dominion, by erecting buildings of a permanent utilitarian character. The past Administration bad neglected the Tourist Department. The speaker would not neglect it. Funds should be provided to carry out the reconstruction of the pavilion and the Blue Baths. The Public Works Department had almost completed plans for this work, wliicll would be started as soon as the plans were available. They would be substantial structures, equal to anything in the world. “ The winter df discontent in Rotorua,” said Sir Joseph. “ would be turned to glorious summer.” At this there was applause.

The last Government, lie said, liad let the buildings fall into the last stage of deereptitude. The Government would renew the glory and the prestige of Rotorua. A new sauatoi-. ium would, be erected that would - be equal to the task of providing curative aid to those in need. The tourists roads to AVniroa, and AVaimangu, and The Loop, Okareka, Rotokawu, Okataina, and Lake roads would all ho attended to. The sum of £7OOO would be devoted to the Wairoa road immediately.

The railway policy of the Administration, which centred on the coinple t-i<m of the main lines and the tota, cessation of the short line building was defended.

The speaker also said that, if necessary, some df the short lines in existence would be stopped.

The Prime Minister outlined His la policy, as indicated in Hns Aucklai policy speech, and also other soei •matters.

At the conclusion, a hearty vote of thanks and confidence was passed by acclamation.