PRIME MINISTER'S TOUR.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 563, 30 April 1913, Page 5

PRIME MINISTER'S TOUR.

VISIT TO TANGITU. DEPUTATIONS FROM SETTLERS. The Primß Minister continued his tour of the district on Saturday when he left Te Kuiti by special train for Waimiha en route for Tangitu. The Ministerial party was met at the Waimiha station by a number of settlers, who greeted Mr Maasey with cheers. Mr Wilson, member for the district, was accorded a similar welcome. The party, consisting of the Prime Minister and his secretary, Mr Thomp3on, Mr C. K. Wilson, M.P., Mr Vicker-

man, Government engineer, and Mr J. Boddie, immediately set out on horseback for the settlement, being escorted by Messrs P. Clark, president, and L. J. Bacon, secretary, of the Tangitu Settlers' Association. and several other settlers. The Prime Minister was keenly interested in everything he saw during the course of the journey, and manifested a practical interest in the main road, of which he had heard so much. As far a? the end of the tram, a distance of about three miles from Waimiha, the road proved to be in fair order. From that point, however, for a distance of two miles or more, there was ample evidence that the things 3poken and written of

the road had not been over coloured. The road is graded along the face of a steep papa bluff, the wall of which towers above to a considerable height, and ag the bluff faces the south the road is continually shaded from the sun. One cannot conceive this road every becoming dusty. In midsummer the surface is damp, and until recently the soakage from the hills formed stagnant pools and quagimres along the track. Many culverts have recently been placed in the road, and the benefits of this work is already being felt. No suitalbe metal has yet been located between Tangitu and Waimiha, the nearest approach being sandstone rock about the five-mile point. A considerable distance of the road has been metalled with this material, and when the Prime Minister reached the quarry he was requested to inspect the material and decide as |to whether it was suitable. Mr Massey said it was obvious the material was not suitable for permanent work, and he understood the engineer was of the same opinion, but what had been done would afford some relief from the mud during the com ing winter. However, it would probably be advisable to spend a littla more money and get better material. The journey to Tangitu was accomplished in good time, and although a little rain fell there was nothing in the shape of a downpour. Approaching the settlement patches of vivid green grass began to show among the more sombre shades of the bush, heralding the fact that man's activities had been employed in the great work of pioneer settlement. Fine healthy looking crops of turnips were to be seen on the patches of cleared bush, the growth and appearance of the crops proclaiming the excellent quality of the land. As the valley opened out some of the older clearings could be seen in the distance, and more decided evidences of civilisation broke upon the view as the Tangitu Post Office was reached. Immediately upon the arrival of the party an adjournment was made for luncheon to the residence of Mr J. L. Guilford. Mr P. Clark presided, and after the health of the King had been honoured, Mr E. A. Guilford proposed the toast of the Prime Minister. The speaker, on behalf of the settlers, said they all felt deeply the honour which had been done them by the visit of thj Prime Minister. Mr Massey suitably replied. The toast of the member for the district, Mr C. K. Wilson, was proposed by Mr L. J. Bacon, who paid a tribute to the member for the work ho had accomplished on behalf of the settlers, Mr Wilson, in reply, said his heart was with the people on the land, and it Was a work of love to attempt to alleviate the lot of t'le pioneers. He made a strong appeal for the settlers in the matter of roads and facilities for progress, and on behalf of the settlers thanked Mr Massey heartily for his visit.

DEPUTATIiONS. Messrs Bacon and Clark requested the Prime Minister to grant a portion of the road reserve as a dairy factory site, and Mr Massey promised to grant the request on condition it was for a co-operative concern. The matter of block roads was dealt with by Mr E. A. Guilford, who stated the section 3 had been loaded for roading, but they were now informed the loading was expended and many of the roads were still unformed. He referred to the great cost of packing, and the impossibility of progress until the roads were completed. If the work was gone ahead with now the employment would help the settlers to see out the winter and provide food for their families, The speaker used the same arguments in asking for a remission of rent on the sections for another two years.

Mr Coombridge spoke in a similar vein and drew attention to the fact that the land was valued at £3 an acre, while not more than GO per cent. of it was fit for dairying. He advocated the remission of rent for two years instead of postponement. Mr Andrews supported the previous speakers. He said the postponement system was like "live horse and you'll get oats." The liability had to be met.

The method adopted by the Advances Department of paying out loans in instalments was referred to by Mr Coombridge, who pointed out that the settlers were borrowing the money on the security of improvements already effected. ' To call upon them to effect further improvements with the fresh advance, and only receive the money in instalments when imt>rovement<* up to the value of the instalments had been effected waß an infliction on the settlers. In addition, tb.9 settlers had to have the improvements valued before applyi".„ for each instal ti2n f , and

| a valuation fee was charged in each case. In respect to the amount of £SO allowed by the Government for house building, the Bpeaker said the Government would not allow the settlers to draw the money to pay for the material. The house had to be erected before the money was advanced. The result was that the settlers had to use bush material, and the majority were living in hovels Mr J. L. Guilford also spoke on the same subject, and gave instances

where settlers had received their full advance while others with greater improvements had to receive it by instalments.

I Mr Guiding asked the Prime Minis ter if the Government would provide more cows for the settlers. Mr Massey said additional cowa would be provided upon the recommendation of the ranger. Mr Kinnard introduced school matters, and referred to the necessity of a school at Mangateka.—Mr Wilson said he had interviewed the chairman of Ihe Auckland Board of Education with respect to thp Mangateka school, and had received a promise that the school would be proceeded with immediately.—Mr Maasey said he would interview Mr Garland when he went

to Auckland, and do his best for the settlers in the matters.

Messrs Coombridge, Guilford, and Kirk spoke with reference to the post offices in the block. They were all managed by settlers, and special rooms were required for the purpose. This was a considerable tax on the settler doing the work, especially an the salary attached to the position was very small. It was suggested that the department should build a special room for the purpose and thus lighten the burdens. Several matters affecting Waimiha were brought before the notice of the Prime Minister by Mr Middleton, representing the Waimiha Chamber of Commerce. The speaker drew attention to the fact that about half a mile of the road at Waimiha had been left unmetalled, and urged that the work should be completed to the railway station.

A request was also made to the effect that the Railway Department should place a responsible officer in charge of the goods shed. At present it was the duty of the .tablet porter to open and close the shed, but no record of the goods taken aWay was kept, and the department was not responsible for delivery. An application was also made to have the holding and loading yards for stock enlarged in order to cope witfe the requirements of the settlers. A request that the Government should take a piece of native iand at Waimiha for a recreation ground w"S? also made.

The Prime Minister, by request, heard all the deputations before dealing with them. In replying he said as far as the roads iu the block were concerned, he was not exactly sure of the position. If the original amount provided for the work had been spent, and there had been no further appropriation made by Parliament, they would have to wait until the next Estimates were framed, wh?n votes would be made. He understood the urgency of having the roads completed so that tha settlers could carry on dairying. Meanwhile the Government was particularly concerned with the outlet from the settlement to the railway, and intended pushing that vigorously. In the matter of employment on the roads the settlers would be given preference. With respect to the request for a remission of rent, Mr Massey said he was not quite sure of the law. In any case the remission would require to be provided for on the Consolidated Estimates and Parliament might, or might not agree. There were many difficulties in respect to remission, and he advised the settlers to apply for postponement, which was arranged by the Land Board. As far as the settlers were concerned, he would recommend their application. Referring to the settlers' grievance in the matter of advances, the Prime Minister explained the constitution of the Advances Board. He promised to go into the matter and endeavour to alleviate the position. If any people were entitled to consideration, settlers in their position Were. He could understand the department being cautious, but he thought it would be possible to improve matters, and he would do his best for them. He would certainly recommend the board to make a change in respect to the instalment method, and endeavour to Bave the settlers the extra inconvenience and expense. Referring to the request for additional accommodation at the post offices the Prime Minister said the position appealed to him strongly. He would talk the matter over with the Postmaster-General, and endeavour to meet the wishes of the settlers. Concerning the Waimiha deputations, Mr Massey said he did not know the reason for leaving a portion of the road unmetalled, but would find out, and if there was any difficulty would endeavour to overcome it. In respect to the goods shed it seemed to him an unbusinesslike method of doing things. He knew of places where tablet porters were made responsible. However, the Government had engaged an expert in railway matters to manage the railway business and he trusted the friction which had existed in respect to the department would be eliminated

In conclusion the Prime Minister expressed himself heartily glad to meet the settlers, apart altogether from party politics. He had come to see them not entirely on their own account, but because he knew he was benefitting the country as a whole. The Government could not make the settlers' fortunes, but it could give every one of them the opportunity of doing good for himself. He counselled them strongly not to become pessimistic or depressed. Before they knew where they were facilities would be to their hand. He could see clearly that if they stuck to their task and improved their holdings as they were doing in a very short time tho land instead of being worth £3 or £4 an acre would be worth £lO or £ls an

acre, and they would be thoroughly entitled to the increment. He believed there was a competence and independence ahead of every man at Tangitu.—Cheers.—lf they were in trouble at any time he invited them to come 'to him and he would do all he could to get them out of it. Mr Wilson, on behalf of the settlers, heartily thanked the Prime Minißter. He said the visit was a good omen for the district, more particularly for the women and children.

Cheers were heartily given for the Prime Minister and member, and the party set cut on the return journey to Waimiha. Mr Masaey proceeded by the evening train to Taumarunui, where he was entertained in the evening, and received a number of deputations.