THE PRIME MINISTER

Otago Witness, Issue 2814, 19 February 1908, Page 31

THE PRIME MINISTER

VISIT TO TE AROHA

TE AROHA, February 11 Sir Joseph Waid arrived in Te Aroha. this afternoon from Frankton. En route the I'iirae Minister •stopped at Momnsville, where lie was entertained at luncheon by the townspeople and received a deputation on local matters.

The chief subject brought under his notice was in connection with two large blocks of Native land abutting the Morrinevillc township, which the 70 Natne owners weie anxious to have dealt with by the Native Land Court, and their interests individualised, so that they might deal with Europeans for the land. The deputation urged that the request of the Natives might be acceded to. pointing out that there was an area of 14.000 acres in the two blocks that had never been cultivated.

In replying. Sir Joseph said he could see no -objection to the hol-d.nff of tl.-o court at Morrinsville, and ho spoke of the detriment to all concerned of Native lands being idle or put to indifferent use. He said that some reform would bo made to ensuie that Maori lands should not remain locked up for a lengthy period. Mr Massey, Leader of the Opposition, aecompan.ed the Prime Ministoi as far as Morrinsv llle, and from there Messrs Herries and Greenslade, M.P.'s, o-une on with him to To Aroha, where Mr Poland, M.P., joined them. On arrival here Sir Joseph and Lady Ward were entertained at a garden party. In the course of an address, the Prime Minister said that since the Tourist Department assumed control of the Te Aroha. domain in January. 1903, the receipts bad totalled £7947* and expenditure £17,304. He outlined the improvements made, and stated that proposed improvements included the erection of a hospital at an estimated cost of £1200, for which a site had been purchased at a cost of £275, and a new tea houee, to cost £600. He stated that provision would be made for a now railway station at Te Aroha in next year's Estimates. He further defended the New Zealand railway system against defamatory 6tatement3 which he said he had seen published in certain American journals, characterising them as incorrret and disloyal. On finance he declared the Dominion's present position to be stronger than ever before, and eaid the American financial panic had not affected, and would not affect us.