FLOOD PROTECTION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4969, 3 May 1926, Page 2

FLOOD PROTECTION.

RIVERS IMPROVEMENT SCHEME. SHOULD BE A NATIONAL WORKSpeaking at the opening of the new municipal chambers at Paeroa on Friday afternoon Mr A. Mi Samuel, M.P., referred to tire flood protection works being carried out by the. Public Works Department in the Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers Scheme. When the scheme ha.d been first commenced, he said, it was estimated to cost £1'50,000- It had since been found necessary to go on extending the work, until it had reached' a great magnitude. Already a sum approaching £750,000 had been expended, a,nd tlie work was by no means completed •yet. It was useless .to' suggest that the cost of the undertaking should be put on to the land. In his, opinion, a mistake had, been made, at. the,outset. He contended .that the Government should have resumed the whole of the land within the stop-bank area. When the scheme wais completed the land could be balloted for, with a proportionate cost of the work added to each holding taken up. It was not reasonable, and, in fact, it was almost impossible, to expect settlers, to bear the burden of the. cost of the scheme after improving their land. The whole undertaking should be treated as a national one, and he intended .to use every endeavour to persuade the Government to treat it. such. (Applause.)