THE POLITICAL ARENA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 11, 10 May 1912, Page 3

THE POLITICAL ARENA.

THE MINISTER FOR RAILWAYS. (Per Press Association.) Christchurch, May 9. TheTlou. A. M. Myers, Minister of Railways, who arrived in Christchurch this morning, spent an exceedingly busy two hours before lunch. Deputations, public and private, succeeded one another with no breathing space between. When the last had been disposed of, Mr Myers made a brief statement touching the object of his visit to the South Island. “My tour of the South Island,” Mr M yers said, “is taken with a. view of examining the railway system and of meeting the officers of departments over which H preside. It is essential that one should have, some personal information in regard to any matters before adjudicating upon them. As I intimated to one deputation this morning, it is contemplated that the; railway facilities at Christchurch station shall bo increased,' arid to that eiid I ■• 'i .] f , ■ r •t . am being with full .reports by my departmental: .officers. ~ Everywhere I go 1 find that, owing--to-in-creased traffic, demands are J ‘being made for improvements. This I view with some satisfaction, as it discloses the fact that the demands are made because of the increased I 'development of the country. it is my desire that the Railway Department should recognise their responsibility as public 1 , ■ ,/|!"' V ''l l -).. carriers, and should give every reasonable facility to ( our customers. It is quite clear, however, that this, Tike every other question, is governed by the all-important question of finance, and one has to recognise the'financial aspect of affairs before coming to a final conclusion. The policy of the Department will be to carry out those of the demands which are most urgent.” The Minister was asked whether ho would say anything on the question of railway extension, particularly as affecting the South Island Main Trunk line. “I fully recognise the important part transit plays in the development of our Dominion,” he said, “and while there is such an enormous portion of its resources still undeveloped the Railway Department has by no means reached its ultimate. 1 believe that it is desirable always to obtain the fullest data and information first, and it is impossible to launch, a comprehensive scheme until that has been done.”

A large deputation, representing the Fruitgrowers’ Association, was introduced to the Minister by Mr Goo. Witty, M.P. Mr Witty said that at one time timber for fruit cases was carried free on the railways, but owing to the selfishness of timber firms, which sent for timber 350 miles away, in order to save a halfpenny a ease, the concession was withdrawn, and

free carriage for a hundred miles was substituted. The deputation wanted to ask for free carriage of timber .from the nearest milling district. Failing that, they asked that a hall white pine measurement be charged ol not more than I'd per ease. They were really paying 2td per case in the meantime. At present the “shocks” had to he put in bundles, and that was objected to. The deputation, suggested that the concession should he math only to bona, fide fruitgrowers. The Minister said that the fruit industry was an important one, and was capable of expansion for export purposes. Tie Hail ways Department was anxious to give every facility for the carriage of gor.ds, hut it had to conduct its business on business lines. He could not give the deputation an answer at once. He believed in putting everyone on the same footing, but the matter would have to he fully considered as affecting the whole country. He would make enquiries into the matter, and let the deputation know the result. THE PRIME MINIHTKII. Dunedin, May 9. The Prime Minister returned iron the south this morning, and soon afterwards was waited on by several depu tations. A deputation which represented the Dunedin Expansion League urged the extension of the Otago Central and Lawrenee-lloxbnrgh railways, and ir rigation in Central Otago. In reply the Prime Minister said that the interests of Otago would never he for gotten by him. He believed that be-

tween £1,000,000 and £2,000,000 would have to he spent on an irrigation scheme apart from the railways. As the Government would be doing some experimenting in Otago, it might be possible to establish a smaller experimental station in Central Otago. The Prime Minister suggested a system of light railways for this district. He would see that special attention was paid to the Lawrence-Beaumont railway, and would move in that direction as soon as possible, hut the question of authorisation to Roxburgh Was a matter for the Cabinet to decide. He was in favour of extending the Otago Central railway when the Gatlins line had reached a certain point, but be could not commit the Government on that point. The Prime Minister will leave for the north to-morrow afternoon to inspect the crop experiments at Mount Royal, now being carried out by the owners in co-operation with the Agricultural Department. He will then • proceed to Fairlie to attend a banquet to the Hon. T. Buxton. On Saturday he will leave for Wellington. He will probably return to Dunedin iu about three weeks’ time. Ti 1E POSTM A STEP -G ENERA L. Christchurch, May 9. Mr H. G. Ell, Postmaster-General, was entertained at a complimentary social given by his constituents tonight. The Hon. A. M. M yers was also present. Mr Ell quoted a number of figures relating to the growth in tin* postal and telegraphic business. In the course of a short speech lie said that it was Ids intention to extend as far as possible among the masses tbe benefits of his Department, including the extension of telephones to communities at present cut off from ordinary civilisation.