HANDLING THE WAIKATO.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 574, 12 October 1920, Page 2

HANDLING THE WAIKATO.

DEPUTATION TO WELLIhiGTtN.

FA\ 01/RABLr. kECEPTIOX

(Spo' ial to the ' finies.")

The del. g. i,-.-- appointed by tin reent coiuerence on Waikato Kivel ~l#rs with the exception of Mi H. ~ji,a.il, Di tne Auckland iiaii <-m ,u.irU.'\vho i wing to illness \cas> un-

.ax to attend waited on the K :,ht .ion.' the IVime Minister and tut .n.n. tie Minister for Lands at V elrulon on Salurdaj morning. M&iis. .4. r. Uollarci ami W. Khoaes, jr. miCi's for Katilun and Thames resp >:t,celv, inlrouuced the deputation. . lr,

j. .\. ir'oung. member lor the \ aikalo, was unfortunately » prevei '.eo iron) being present owing to indi ;>ojition. 'the Hon. the Minister oi Marine, oir William Herries, was • so absent from the same cause.

Mr, H. K. K. L. Wily said that Mr. A. L. Stevenson and he were a legates from the meeting of representatives of local bodies interested in the Waikato River, and were prei-nt to urge the Government to carry ut the long-delayed promises that something should be clone in the direct on of improving the functions of -he river. The conference requested lliat the Inland Waterways' Cominis: on should be directed to enquire i ito th river question and report on it oefore dealing with the question ol the canals. The Prime Minister w<. do remember chat so long ago as 1 ill a commission on the Waikato I act been promised to Mr.' A. C. Glass no nimself. This was prior to the letting up of the Waterways' ComnisIsion, and the river had not only fist claim for this leason, but there could be no question of constructing ihe canals until it was demonstrated that the Waikato could be rende ea navigable. The conference also desired that a controlling body sho.da be set up to take charge of the river, rie laid some stress on the inipo tance of land drainage, and trusieo. that whatever was clone the interests of the landowners concerned Would be conserved. s Mr. Stevenson said he realised '.he importance of land damage, iut navigation wasjfche subject in which he was chiefly interested. A very large number of settlers depem eu upon the Waikato and its tributaiies to give them access to their lands, and in the present state of the rivei they were faced with great difficulties. The Steam Navigation Comply was arranging to run services wn ct to Raglan, Kawhia and other West Coast ports, but unless the- river was improved they would be grea'ly hampered. For years the comparand the settlers had had-'a tryug time, and they trusted the Government would speedily take steps to remedy matters. • A Reasonable Request. No More Delay. '■

In reply, Mr. Massey said he iVIy recognised the importance of tie Waikato. U was quite correct ti.it a commission of enquiry havtv b% n promised, but the war had interft red with this scheme in fvmpany with a number if others, Nuw,howe\':r, they felt free to move, and tin. :'e would be no more delay. He Considered that the request of the depu ition that the Waikato should be ; ttended to first was a reasonable o : e, as it was undoubtedly the test \>y which the general scheme must sta .d or fall. With regard to the controlling body, he understood what wis wanted. He was not sure whet) r legislation would be required or not, but -would look into the matter a d do whatever was necessary. Mr. Guthrie said he was in svnpathy with the request of the deputation. He had familiarised himself with the Waikato River question, lor it was an important one. The thi>e members of the commission had bun

already appointed, and consisted of Mess*. Ferguson and Ashley Hunter. These gentlemen! would be instructed to deal with the Waikaio first. The only obstacle that could possibly interfere with this would i e if me engineer found it necessary 10 get information on the other w«-k before finally reporting on the riu'i but lie trusted that even if t'lis w< >,e so no undue delay would be caused.