MINISTERIAL VISIT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 782, 1 October 1929, Page 16

MINISTERIAL VISIT

MR. DE LA PERRELLE AT TAUMARUNUI NEEDS OF DISTRICT From Owr~Own Correspondent TAUMARUNUI, Monday. T£e Minister of Internal Affairs and Publicity, the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, paid his first official visit to the Central King Country on Saturday. He was officially welcomed at the Taumarunui Borough Council by the Mayor, Mr. C. A. Boles, and Messrs. F.. Langstone, M.P. for Waimarino, G. A. Stanton, chairman ‘of the Taumarunui County Council, and the Deputy-Mayor, the Rev. J. E. Ward. The Minister said it was his first official visit, and he was surprised at the development of Taumarunui Borough. It was a thriving town with a future before it. and that must be recognised. Anything lie could do in his official capacity to help the district forward h« would be pleased to do. Messrs. Boles and Langstone drew the Minister’s attention to the urgent need for a new post office at Taumarunui, and he promised to bring the question before the Postmaster-Gen-eral at the earliest opportunity. Mr. G. A. Stanton brought forward the question of rating, and mentioned the difficulties existing under the present system, which owing to local conditions in the various counties caused great inequality. He considered that the whole matter of county rating, was worthy of consideration by the Government. Mr. Langstone supported the preyicus speaker, and the Minister promised to bring the matter before Cabinet at ;an early date. Dealing with the tourist traffic on the Wanganui River and to the National Park, the Minister explained what the Publicity Department was doing, and expressed the opinion that New Zealand was marching with other countries in mentioning its wares in this respect. After the official business had been concluded, the Minister and party inspected Winstone’s tile works and E llis and Burnand’s veneer factory at Manunui, and were motored to the Tongariro National Park in the afternoon.