NEEDS OF THE DISTRICT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 602, 13 September 1913, Page 4

NEEDS OF THE DISTRICT.

MK C K. WILSON INTERVIEWED. Mr C. K. Wilson, member for the district, arrived at Te Kuili yesterday morning on his first visit from Wellington since the session commenced. Interviewed by a Chronicle representative the member said Parliament was getting through a lot of work and there was a very busy tivne ahead. The Land Bill, which had just been introduced, waß an important meaßure, and would doubtleßs take up considerable time. The Native Land Bill. which should make its appearance at any time now, was being looked forward to with a great deal of intereßt, and it was sure to attract a great amount of attention. Native affairs were receiving much more consideration from everyone than had been the case in the past, but the subject Was so complex that few but those intimately concerned knew anything nbout it. In addition to the promised legislation a great number of reports had to be dealt with and a great amount of work would be crowded in before the end of the session. Referring to district mattera, Mr Wilson said in respect to road grants ha was sure the Minister of Public Works would do his utmost for the back blocks, and he had no doubt the Estimates would carry fairly substantial votes for roads and bridges throughout the electorate. The Minister had assured him that the first duty of the Department would be to see that the back country roads were provided and improved. This was the policy of the Government and he was certain it would be fufilled to the utmost of its resources. As far as subsidies are concerned, Mr Wilson expressed himself optimistically. Of course there was a limit to the money available, he said, but as far as possible he was sure the applications would be met.

In referrirg to the interview with Mr A. Scholes, chairman of {he Waitomo (Jounty Council, which was published in the Chronicle recently, Mr Wilson said he was afraid some of the statements might cause a misapprehension to arise. In reference to the suggestion that if only portion of a loan was granted, there would be only an equal portion' of subsidy granted also, Mr Wilson said he had the authority of the Minister of Finance for contradicting any such suggestion. The subsidies were granted by Parliament irrespective of where the loan was raised. If settlers were entitled to a subsidy for a loan it was ridiculous to suppose the subsidy would only be granted if the loan was raised from the State Advances Department, or that it would only be granted on the portion which might be rained from the Department. It was well known that money was tighter all round than had been the case and the Advances Department had to do the best possible for all applicants. If the whole of any loan could not be granted in one year there was no reason to suppose the balance would not be available the following year. The fact that the Department could not actually commit itself to find the balance the following year did not mean that the balance of the loan would be turned down. On the other hand it waß only reasonable to suppose every effort would be made to meet it. Work that had been started had to be carried on to completion and he had no fear that the Department would meet the demands in this respect. Commitments were dangerous and had led to trouble when the previous Government was in office, and the present Government was wise in not making definite commitments.