The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 1019 WAIKATO RIVER CONTROL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 484, 24 June 1919, Page 2

The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS.

TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 1019 WAIKATO RIVER CONTROL

" We nothing extenuate, n«r ut down auaht in malice

A great deal of controversy has taken place In respect to the works carried out on the Waikato River, between Mercer and the Heads, and the effect af such on navigation and drainage. Now, we do not propose to revive this but desire to advocate a broader and more comprehensive policy for the future. The Waikato River Board, whatever may have been its failings, has certainly done a great deal of pioneering work, and has been responsible for much greater public iutcrest in the River than was taken before it commenced operations. It is generally admitted that, in some places, it has done excellent work, of permanent valne to the province, and, even if it has been in error in respect to certain matters, against such mistakes must be balanced the fact that it has had a long, uphill | fight, against difficulties presented by Nature in a peculiarly refractory form. But, even if the Board had been entirely free from human fallibility, in the natural evolution of things the time would come when such a great inland waterway as the Waikato River must needs be placed under Government control, for it is of importance to the whole of the i province,' and especially to the I town of Hamilton, the city of Auckland, and all lands between those two points, for a distance of ten or twelve miles bnck on either bank of the River. The State is the only party wealthy and competent enough to undertake the required work, to harmonise the navigation and drainage interests, and to safeguard the welfare of the community at large. An objection to Government control may be made on the grounds that it would retard, instead of develop navigation on the River, in order that the railways might not lose revenue, for it is well known that the best of paying freights, such as for benzine, oils, and explosives, are now being carried a great deal cheaper by water than by rail, The State is the only party competent and wealthy enough to harmonise the drainage and navigation interests, upon both of which depends the welfare of the communities served. Water power and water carriage must be developed all over the Dominion, and no narrow policy, which, incidentally, would prevent relief being given to the present inade<|imte roilwa- lines and rolling sto.!'. --an i-e permitted to Interfere wi'h the extension and developmeu' o: < acli and every means of tnusport. It is a big subject, but one which looms hugely on the horizon, and it

must hi.- grappled with as early as possible, otherwise that progress which is now necessary, In order to allow of increased production ami industrial development, which must bear the heavy national burdens of finance, will be held seriou-»h - in check.

FIRST PAGE Pukekohe Borough Council Waiuku Railway FOURTH PAGE. S M. Court General

Mr R. I. Reid Chairman of the Waiuku Town Board, and also Waiuku riding member on the Franklin County Council, states that he did not say the Board would join in the electricity extension scheme radiating from Pukekohe, hut that h,«v«ould '-i agreeable to its application to the riding.