PROTECTION FROM FLOODS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2711, 22 March 1924, Page 3

PROTECTION FROM FLOODS

DEPUTATION TO MINISTERS

PROPOSALS TO BE INVESTIGATED.

A deputation consisting of Messrs R. T. Bell, H. Akers, P. Neilson, 11. Anderson, K, Mti<-Donald, W. Carter, P. E. Baldwin, R. H. Spencer, and F. C. Hay, aud representing (he Manawatu-Oroua River Board waited upon the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. W. F. Massey, the Minister of Public Works. Hon. J. G. Coates and the Minister of Internal affairs, Hon. R. F. Bollard, in Wellington on Wednesday in connection with the proposed scheme of the board to deal with water in the Manawalu river. The work proposed will involve a, very large sum of money, and in order lo assist the people interested the Government, was asked to contribute a sum by way of subsidy, as the work will vitally concern the Government from the point of view of the safety of the railway at Koputaroa, together with bridges and roads in the vicinity.

The deputation was introduced to the Ministers by Messrs J. A. Nash and J. Linklater, M’s.P., and Messrs Bell, Baldwin, Akers and Hay spoke in support of the request of the deputation urging the Govenment to help them iu the proposed undertaking. Mr. Massey, in reply, pointed out that that morning he had received three deputations aLI of which had made applications for large sums of money. It was impossible for the Government to comply with every request made. He realised, of course, the importance of the work and it was a mailer to which considei 1 - ntion would he given. Mr Massey discussed the question of the proposed rate on the lands concerned and he also referred to the benefit the settlers would derive from the work. To carry out the scheme would probably need a bill to be passed by Parliament. Mr Massey said he could make no promises in the matter but he assured the deputation Lhat their proposal would be thoroughly investigated. The Hon. J. G. Coates said that a> far as his department was concerned, the proposal would receive consideration and he would have reports prepared. Mr Nash suggested a policy of co-operation between the river board's engineer and the Public Works Department to which Mr Coates agreed. Returning (hunks I<> the Ministers for receiving the deputation, Mr J. Nash said the members of the deputation were grateful, for the opportunity of meeting all three Ministers at the one time, as l lie pi’oposed work was of such vital importance that it was necessary that all three Ministers should be conversant with it..