SIR C. J. PARR.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4799, 16 January 1925, Page 2

SIR C. J. PARR.

PILE-DRIVING FUNCTION. THE EVENING’S PROGRAMME. An informal supper in honour of the visiting Cabinet Ministers, the Hon. G. J. Andenson, Minister for Marino and Mines, and the Hon. Sir C. J. Parr, Minister for Education, was tendered by the Thames Harbour Board in the Park Hotel on Tuesday evening. The chairmen and members of all the local authorities in the board’s area had been invited, and the gathering was a very representative one. The toast of the evening, that to the gusets, the Hon. G. J. Anderson and the Hon. Sir C. J. Parr, was proposed by Mr R. Coulter, chairman of the Harbour Board, who briefly extended a welcome. In replying, the Hon. G. J. Anderson thanked the peopile of the Thames Borough for the generous welcome. This was natural in all mining districts, he had found, as an hospitable feeling permeated all goldfields. At the present time he said, the Mines Department was having more inquiries than at any other period since he had been connected with it. The old class of prospector was, however, passing away, and .the younger generation did not appear to be so keenThe department was prepared to assist genuine prospecting, but was down on speculation mines. He leterred ?o the Kaiwara River scheme, which he considered a genuine and unique attempt to otbain gold. Inquiries regarding coal, oil, shale, and iron were also being received by the Mines Department. Referring to harbour works in generalfi the Minister said that in the future all harbour improvement plans would he closely examined by departmental officers, and no expenditure would be permitted unless there was a sound commercial and economic possibility of. the scheme becoming a success. ’ Thus the interests of the people were being watched for the benefit of themselves and the Dominion as a whole. Alluding to the fishing industry, the Minister said that there was no reason why a big export trade could "not be built up. The quality of the fish in New Zealand waters was superior to that, around Britain and Nova ScotiaInquiries had been received from a Nova Scotian firm which desired the sole rights to exploit the crayfish’ industry. This, of course, could not be granted, but there was no reason why New Zealanders should not take it up. In the matter of publicity, -the speaker said that the Government would assist local bodies desiring to advertise their districts by every means in its power.

Other matters referred to concerned future legislation, which included an amendment to the Workers’ Compensation Act and a scheme ef compulsory old-age superannuation. Such measures were non-party matters, and were receiving earnest consideration. The Hon. Sir. C. J. Parr, in returning thanks tsaid that he had first arrived in the Thames Valley in 1878. Since then the change had Leen marvellous. In those days a mail arrive:] every nine days, and it was necessary to travel 50 miles on horseback for a doctor. At the present time the district was only on .the threshold of a glorious future. The dairying industry was making rapid strides. He had made a study of conditions in Denmark, which ,was only half the size of the Auckland province and supported a population of three millions, and was New Zealand’s serious competitor in the dairy produce market. The soil of Denmark was light, and mostly reclaimed sand dunes, and the weather conditions were much worse than in New Zealand, ap there were in one average year 160 wet days, 125 of fog, 94 on which there was intense frost, and only 58 on which there was sunshine. These adverse circumstances had built up the Danish national character, but a greater factor i.i building up the national industry had been the growth of cooperation in all branches, and also the sound education scheme. The Danish boy went to the ordinary school until he was 15 years old, and then for three years was apprenticed to a farmer. During the five winter months of the years when he was between 18 and 21 years of age he went to a Folk High School, where a sound and comprehensive education was given. Such a scheme was of untold value, but it could not well be applied to New Zealand. However, much was being done ; but there was much more to be accomplished, for no business required more education and training than that of farming. The Danish farmers cooperated for every purpose, the marketing of butter, cheese, bacon, and eggs, the purchasing of manures, the testing of herds, and the acquisition of good bulls being some. In closing, Sir James said that the moral for New Zealand was that there must be more education for fanners, scientific research, utilisation of by-products,— especially bacon—improved marketing, and generally more national cooperation.

The toast of “The Thames Harbour Board” was proposed by the chairman of the Thames County Council, Mr H. Lowe, who said that though the board had a record of having only one loan during its half century of operation it had kept abreast of the requirements of the district.

Mr R. Coulter responded and said that the board was doing its utmost, and would continue to do so to make the harbour scheme a success. Cooperation was necessary, for it was no use making a harbour unless tne district intended to progress and utilise the facilities provided to the utmost.

Mr E. N. Miller also responded.

Other toasts honoured included “The Future of the Thames Harbour District,” proposed by Mr T. W. Rhodes. M.P., supported by by J. W. Danby, and replied to by Mr C. W. Harris and F. H. Claxton, past members of the board; "Local Bodies,” proposed by Mr H. Poland, M.P., supported by Mr Mcllvride, M.P., and responded to by the Mayor of Paeroa

(Mr* AV. Marshall), the chairman of' the Piako County Council (Mr F, Walters), and the Mayor of AVaihi (Mr . AV. M Wallnutt); and “The Chair- - man, Mr R. Coulter,”‘proposed by the Hon. G. J. Anderson. Mr E. F. Adams, the board’s en- * gineer, in rseponding to a toast to his health, said that the visit cf the Hon, t Minister for Marine had done muon to put heart into members of the < board and the ratepayers oi the district. The Thames harbour scheme was one of the first harbour schemes considered and criticised by a Gov- > eminent department, and it had come through unchanged. The idea of submitting schemes for hte expert advice of Government men was a very comnu ndable one, and should be extended to embrace all local body ex- . penditure. The board's operaticws and pioposals were well known, and there was no doubt of the possibilities t of carrying out all that was intended, The difficulty that would aiise would be to provide everything required out . of the money available. Conditions ’ were continually changing, and im-'.. proved devices were being made.foß : j the better handling of cargo. These improvements would be provided out . of the ordinary revenue of the board, so tha‘. the facilities of the port would' * be kept up to date. For the carrying,-jX out of the improvement scheme the best of machinery-was being obtained, and this would all be assem--.. bled before the work was commenced, " so that there would be no relay.