Reading Backblocks.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 377, 28 August 1908, Page 2

Reading Backblocks.

The fallowing is the discusaion on the above question which took place at the Dominion Conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, held in Wellington at the latter end of July : MfFlanagan (Auckland) moved :--“That tbo Colonial Council be respectfully urged to bring all th* influence the Union can oommand to induce the Government to adopt a more progressive policy in rolling the back districts of tbe King Country,” Mr Flanagan read a letter from a settler*in the King Country dealing with the remit. Major Bell seconded tbe resolution. He sai'l the late Mr Seddon had made a premise to the settlers of Awaroa, and this promise ' bad not been carried out. The lands bad been loaded for roads, and the settlers h a>l ; to be satisfied with bridle tracks. Mr Hackloy (Wellington > said he was sure the resolution woild meet with th* sympathy nf the Conference as a whole. He suggested, however, that the word “Dominion” be substituted for “King Country.” The complaint was not confined to the King Country alone. The resolution wou’d strengthen the hands of the Government which, he understood proposed spending a quarter of a million in reading. Mr M'Queen opposed the motion. 'l'hqu’stion was a local one, and should be dealt with locally. Let those into ested bring all tbe influence possible te bear upou the mem here of the r districts. They should not commit tbe Government to a great expenditure Mr Leadlay pointed out that the money had already been provided by the settlers f r the roads, and it should be expended, He urged that the Conference be failing in its du u y if it did not support the ,'esoiuMrO. F. (Jothicr (Canterbury) said he had made a point of going through the North Island to ascertain the position for himself. He strongly sympathised with those who we: e in the rs. The mea who had been placed upon the land should be given access to the markets Mr“ Middleton moved as an am ndtueut, that “In view of the promised expenditure of one million sterling during tbe noxt four years, the resolution bt withdrawn.” He thought they might a-k the Government to give speedy effect to their election pledges. Mr Richards (Wellington) moved as a further amendment “That the Government be congratulated upon having get aside a sum i of money for reading, and urged to expend such money as expeditiously as pjesible, either through the Local Bodies or Government officials.” Mr Beatson (Hawke’s Bay) supported the amendment of Mr Richards. Mr Elliott tPoverty Bay) favoured the original rosaluriou. He poluted out that not one half of tbo money voted for roads had been expended and he gave a harrowing narrative of the difficulties encountered by those on the backblocks. Mr Maxwell (Taranaki) Was astounded that tbo jMint should have been raised, that th : s matter did not come within the province of the Conference. He could see no subject uf greater importance co the whole Dominion than the getting of access io markets

Mr Scott (Otago) agreed that the matter affected the whole of the Deminion. He supported the motion. Mr D. Jones Canterbury) was also of opinion that the question concerned the Dominion as a whole. Tbe Native lands were in the North, and they should be roaded. The reading policy of the Government should be more progressive than in the Mr M'l.aren (Nelson) defended Mr M'Queen in his statements. After further discussion, Mr H.’ J. Richards (Wellington) moved as a further amendment, “That the Colonial Codfarence of the Union are pleased to see the proposals of the Government for the reading of the backblocks of the Dominion, aal would urge that the moneys, whan voted, be made available expeditiously, whether to be spent by local bodies, or Government; and this Conference would especially urge the Government to carry, out the promises made to the settlers re the Awaroa, Oparau, and other blocks.” Mr M'Queen explained that he was not opposed to the North Island securing its just dues. *■ Mr Forsyth (Taranaki) thought that the Crown Lands should be roaded before they were thrown open for settlement. Major- Bell (A ackland) opposed the amendment. He thought that the time to congratulate tbe Government was when the money was exp*- >de<f. They all knew how promises naa been made in the part. Mr Leadley (Canterbury) would support both the original motion, and the amend meat of congratulation, if they were put separately.

Mr Evans (Canterbury) sympathised with those iu the North Island who were without roads. He favoured the resolution. Mr J. C. Cooper (Wellington) thought that much of the conjestion iu the cities was due to the viasitudes which had to be encountered by those who went upon the land in the backblocks. The question was one of national importance. Unless a better system wore adopted than that of the past, the misery of those in the backblocks would oontinue. The amendment of Mr Richard* was eventually lost on a show of hands, and the motion of Major Bell was carried, with the addition of the words, “and that the Government be urged, without delay, to fulfil the promises made by the late Mr Soddon to the settlers of Awaroa,” Major Bell (Auckland) then moved; “That the Government Roads Department famish an account showing how the loading for roads on bush lands had been spent, so that settlors may have some idea what becomes of the mon“y on which they are paying interest." The mover thought it only right that the information asked for should be supplied. *Mr M'Queen ("southland) seconded the motion proforma but strongly opposed it on the ground that it was partisian. A question of this sort should be left to the Opposition members in the House. Messrs Matheson (Wellington) and Maxwell (Taranaki) thought the Conference hail every right, as representatives of the farmers, to ask for the information.

Mr Leadley (Cantorbury) was of op-nimi that the request was one which both the Conference and membetsof Pavliamsnt. hid a right to make. Ho instanced a case in the djuth iu which great diffi- ulty had been experienced iu discovering where the money voted for a water race had been expended. Tha President thought they might sub statute “the Roads Department” for “the Government.” Messrs Richards and Hockley thought the settlers referred to were labouring under a very great- id justice. 1 was decided, eventually, that the Roads Department, instra I of the Government, be asked to supply tho information asked for. The various matters referred to the G vernin*nt were submitted to the Pre mier. Mr J. U. Wilson (Dominion Preside.it) remarking that the late M« So id n had promised reading facih lie* lur the Awaroa and Oparau settlements 1 i reply tbe Premier stated that bo w.mld draw the attenli >n of he Minister of Lands to this question and have it looked into.

It appears as if tbe above discussion is lilwiy bo b»vo feoiuo good nbbU at

the following letters rec ived by Mr A. W. Babbage, of Awaroa, lately will show; —“lam in receipt of petition signed by yourself and 10 other settlers residing io the Kawbia district askiog that a grant be made towards wi l. uing the Awaroa-Miboe ru.id I a >te the representation? of the prii.i octh, and shall be glad to bring tho m-t ur under the notice of the H m. M>. for Rials for considersi n win., tba Public Work - Estimates for :Li» eirren". year are unde- con-;d. rati. n.— Yours, etc,, J. G. WARD ’ “I h iva the boaour to the ree i t of letter signed by you -If aud ocher* addressed to iha right H u.. Prime Minister reques irig tha - sum io be provided for ihe Awa-oa Maboe road. In reply thereto I am directed by the H n. tbe Miois er f »r Roads t-> inform you that a sum f r widening the road ha- alre<dy b*en n-ted f>r c ireful c insider l ion when the estimates fur roads, etc., are bein-jframed -Y• ur-, etc , C. W. HURSTHOUSE, Chief Engineer for R- .»d*.'*