THE MINISTERIAL VISIT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5111, 6 April 1927, Page 2

THE MINISTERIAL VISIT.

TOUR OF THE PLAIN’S.

MATTER OF ENTERTAINING.

The visit of inspection to the Hauraki Plains next week of the Hon. A. D. McLeod, Minister of Lands, and the Hon. K. S. Williams, Minister of Public Works, is the result of the assurance given by the county chairman (Cr. E. L. Walton) that the council desired to ‘‘bury the hatchet” and to effect a reconciliation between the settlers of the district and the Government Departments interested in the development of the Hauraki Plains.

It is no secret that when 'leaving the Plains after his last visit the Minister of Lands was determined not to return until the antagonism to him and his department, then so plainly shown, had disappeared and the peapie of the district were no longer hostile, but were willing and glad of the opportunity to co-operate with the State in dealing with the many problems presented. It is probable that more harm than good resulted from that visit, for though times were bad and the future appeared dismal, there was no excuse for the manner in which the Minister was approached, and. even openly abused and insulted, by some deputationists who claimed to represent the people of the district. That they did not represent the views of the great majority of settlers was demonstrated by the- manner in which the policy of reconciliation advocated by Mr Walton on his appointment as county chairman was adopted by the new County Council and acclaimed by the settlers.

A short time afterwards, when advised of this change of attitude, the Minister of Lands stated that he would gladly “bury the hatchet,’’ as with the removal of friction a great deal could be done between the Government and settlers., The State would assist in the future, and the needs of the settlers would receive careful considreation.

The opportunity has nP>w arrived tp demonstrate the sincerity of the Plains. The County Council has determined not to father any deputation which is not reasonable in request or respectable in tone, and it is unreservedly hoped that all other deputations will be likewise.. Abuse engenders antagonism; exaggeration is discovered and discredits the arguments advanced, and conciseness, reasonableness, and sincerity are appreciated and rewarded. The Minister may not be able to grant many requests,. and may appear hard and relentless if he has not the money to give effect to all the requirements, but he undoubtedly will give careful consideration to all requests for cooperation between the State and the settlers.

The two Ministers intend to spend four days on the Plains, and this fact may be taken as an indication of their sincerity and desire to, get as fully acquainted as possible with the problems, of the district. The present indications are that they will have a busy time.

At Netherton and Awaiti on Tuesday there are questions of drainage to be discussed, and at Turua in the afternoon the United Drainage Board will probably desire to discuss matters affecting its works. The Orongp soldier settlers have a pioblem that needs very earnest consideration and a quick decision. After dealing with that, the Ministers will visit Waitakaruru, where questions concerning the> metalling o,f the Miranda and other roads, in the district, and the replacing of the bridges about Mangatarata, will be brought before the Minister of Public Works. The proposed drainage district will probably be discussed with the Minister of Lands before the party moves on to Ngatea, where the County Council will introduce matters concerning the metalling of the clay roads o,f tne district previously under the control of the Lands Drainage Department. Government subsidies to the county will also be discussed, and possibly there will be some private tions to be introduced to the Minister of Lands.

Wednesday night will be spent at Kerepeehi, where the townspoeple have many matters concerning the advancement of their district to advocate. The settlers may entertain the Ministers and party during the evening. Thursday will be fully occupied with the problems of Kaihere and Pate tonga. At its last meeting the County Council, at whose invitation the visit is being made, decided to entertain the two Ministers at a function in the Ngatea Hall on Tuesday evening. However, this may not eventuate. Last evening the private secretary to the Minister of Lands telegraphed tne chairman of the County Council confirming the itinerary already published. This provides for the Ministers spending Tuesday night at Thames. The facts of the case are that as soon as the first intimation of tlie dates of the visit was received Mr Walton, after conferring with Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P., who had gone out of liis way to attend to the council’s wishes, telegraphed to the Minister of Lands inviting both Ministers to a function on the Plains on the evening of Tuesday, April 12. A reply was received that a function had been fixed by Mr T. W. Rhodes, M.P., for that evening at Thames. Mr Walton thereupon wired expressing the council’s, regret. Last evening the following wire was received from the Hon. A. D. McLeod '■ “Received your telegram, and greatly appreciate your council’s desire to extend hospitality to my colleague and myself. The position is that prior to receiving your invitation I had been informed that arrangements would be made to entertain us at Thames on the night of Tuesday, 12th.”