MINISTER OF LANDS VISITS SHANNON.

Shannon News, 8 May 1928, Page 3

MINISTER OF LANDS VISITS SHANNON.

MAYOR ACCORDS A WELCOME

■■',■ On Friday, tho Minister ot Lands ./Hon. A. 1). Method), accompanied by Mr J. Lhiklatur, M.P., and members 4 of the Mtuiiiwiitu-Oroua River Board, Shannon, during the course of 'the' party's inspection of the lower reaches of the .Manawatu and Oroua rivers and the country which will be affected by the proposed river diversion scheme of the Manawatu-Oroua 'River Board, designed to eliminate floods and establish a complete system of drainage for the thousands ot fertile acres of the Makerua and Moutoa. • The Minister had been given a. comprehensive insight into the Boards scheme, while an endeavour was made to impress him with the need for urgent action on the part of the Govern.nient bv showing him the dangers which -threaten the settlers should a big flood eventuate. , The Mayor of Shannon, Mi' K Butt, met the Ministerial party at the Borough Council Chambers and extended a hearty welcome to Honourable McLeod. '"'This is your first visit," said Mr 'Butt, addressing the Minister, "and we hope it won't be your last." He explained that Shannon did not have a deputation—Mr Linklater had catered very well for the town's few requirements. Regarding the river diversion scheme, there was no doubt the Kiver Board was undertaking a big venture with which Shannon was quite in accord If carried through there, were thousands of acres which could be more closely settled and the land was some of the best in-New Zealand. The Minister assured the gathering that it was always a pleasure for him to meet the people and enquire into their wants. New Zealand had a great future before it, but could not carry the taxation necessary for its development all at once. The development ot Uho !Codnti% nevertheless, had been wonderful, and the next few years would sec even greater things. Gradual development, however,, was, to be preferred to rush tactics, as it would not come so heavy on the taxpayer. Dui--1 ing the post-war period the load had been at its peak, and the Government was trying to get over its difficulties with a minimum cost to the taxpayer. Speaking of 'drainage ■ matters, he said he had had a lot of experience since entering into his. particular job. The Works undertaken by the Government had been enormous, and those schemes had produced men in the Government employ who were second to none in the Dominion." As' Minister, he had taken an intelligent interest in then-work-and if the Dominion had had the advice of those engineers 15 years < ago a lot of money would have been • saved. As far as the Manawatu scheme was concerned, he was "keeping his eyes open and saying damned ■ little." He was going to rely on his engineers. "I have a great respect for the lay mind," he concluded, "but a greater respect for the engineering mind, and it is the engineers alone who will tell up if this scheme is possible. The partv, after a few minutes stay, proceeded to Poxton, where they I had luncheon. In the evening, at Levin, the Minister addressed a large gathering in defence of the Government's policy.