MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10610, 8 June 1920, Page 6

MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS

HON. J. G. COATES AT WAIROA. REPLIES TO VARIOUS DEPUTATIONS. PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. WAIKOA, Juno The Hon. J. G. Coates arrived at Wairoa last night Irom Nap'ier and held a consultation with tho Mayor and chairman of the Harbour- Board regarding the AVaikokopu harbour and railway matters. This morning ho met a number ■of deputations on various matters. Tho harbour, railway, and hydro-clectnc matters were fully discussed. _Mr Coates, in reply, said lie was visiting tho district to find out its requirements. After consultation with the department officers it had_ been decided to proceed with the Waikarcmoana hydro-electric scheme immediately. The Waikokopu railway had already been started, and would bo pushed on expeditiously. The East Coast railway was also being hastened. He considered the contract system could bo adjusted against day labour. Where co-opera-tive contracts were required ho would see the men got cither largo or small contracts, according to their requirements. The shortage of material was very serious, and was hampering operations everywhere. Girders, hardwood, and cement were particularly in short supply. Contractors had not come from other countries; New Zealand works wore too small. He understood labour was available for Wairoa local works. Tins would facilitate matters. He hoped to see the Waikarcmoana deviations finished shortly. The bridge had been commenced. He did not intend to give largo sums of money as subsidies to country roads, except to assist main arterial roads. The Ministerial party left at 11. SO a.m. for Gisborne. The party expects to make the Tourney partly in a wool wagon, and to reach Gisborne late tonight. ■