MERCER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 239, 5 January 1917, Page 4

MERCER.

WAIKATO RIVER WORKS NO MONEY AT PRESENT PROBABLE REPORT LATER The Minister of Marine (Hon Dr Mac Nab) does not hold out much hope, at the present time, of the Government lending assistance towards making the Waikato more navigable. Questioned upon the matter by a Waikato Times' representatives on Tuesday, Dr Mac Nab explained that work done by the Waikato River Board was undertaken with the consent of the Government, but the Government did not consider this a proper time to expend large snms in connection with the improvement of navigation of rivers. The Waikato River Board was doubtless finding great difficulty in getting money to complete its scheme, but the Government could not take over and do for the Boaul, that which it would not have inaugurated itself. The probability was that this and other matters connected with inland waterways of the Dominion would simply hive to await the termination of the war, when the Inland Waterways Commission, the work of which was cut short because of the war, would be revived and asked to report upon the Waikato river. The Minister made it clear that it did not follow, however, that the Government would do anything for some time in the direction of carrying out any scheme that might be put forward. The point was mentioned to the Minister that all the money spent by the Board up to the present time might be wasted unless sufficient other sums were available to cany the scheme to completion. Dr Mac Nab said it was regrettable that anything should be lost, but that was the Board's own look out. He repeated that the Government could not be forced to complete.a private enterprise that it would not have inaugurated itself.