THE RIVERS QUESTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 391, 30 May 1908, Page 2

THE RIVERS QUESTION.

Deputation Waits on the Minister. A deputation consisting of Mr R. Essex, chairman, and Mr E. J. Armstrong secretary, of the Rivers Conference was introduced by Mr W. T. Wood, M.P., to the Minister for lands on the express train at Palmerston on Thursday afternoon. Mr Wood explained that the deputation desired to know whether the Government would accede to their request that a Royal Commission should be set up to deal with the old question of the Manawatu and Oroua rivers, their watersheds and delta. At present there were a number of Drainage Boards, some of them with possibly conflicting interests, working on sections of the rivers, and there was both waste of effect and expense, without the effort being obtained which might result from a more comprehensive scheme Mr McNab, in reply, said that the matter had been before Cabinet, and he had pointed out that the resolution adopted by the Conference asked for a Royal Commission, but also asked that the report of such Commission should be submitted to the conference for consideration before effect was given to it. He had pointed out to his colleagues that it would be unwise to appoint a commission unless, as in the case of the Taieri Royal Commission, such commission should not only report on the whole question, but suggest the basis of legislation. They could not agree to the report suggesting legislation going back from the commission to a conference here to be possibly torn to pieces by objectors. They were quite agreeable that a Royal Commission should be set up, provided all those who had views on rating or any other phase of the question should give them to the commission, which would then come to its conclusions regarding it and report to the Cabinet. Otherwise someone might hold back from giving evidence, and then object to the report of the commission or the subsequent Bill on the ground-that they hadn’t been heard. They would have a full opportunity to give their views to the Commission, and when the Cabinet had brought in legislation, to give their evidence before the Special Committee on Eands and before the Special Bill Committee of the House. He had intended to communicate with them to this effect on his return to Wellington, and it would then be for them to procure, as they stated they were able to do, a unanimous and unconditional request for a Royal Commission, and it would be granted. He understood that there were very few objectors-, and all he wanted to ensure was that all evidence from both sides was brought before the commission.

Mr Armstrong said that the only question at issue was that of the rating in the higher districts. Two or three thought they were not sufficiently safeguarded in this, but he was quite sure that when it was shown to them that they would h ave ample opportunity to state their case they would with* draw all opposition. Mr Essex also said that he had no doubt they would secure unanimity in the request.