The 'Way-back Blockers.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 169, 21 July 1904, Page 2

The 'Way-back Blockers.

NEEDS OP THIS PIONEER SETTLEUS. AN APPEAL TO GOVERNMENT (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 20. During tho dobato on the motiob lor adjournment) of tho House several speakers expressed dissatisfaction with tho way in which the backblocks were treated by tho Telegraph Department, and it was urged that special telephone facilities should be givon the 'way-back settlers. Sir Joseph Ward, Commissioner lor Telegraphs, pointed out that postal and telegraph facilities in this colony wore not surpassed in uny other country in the world. The demand for extra telephone facilities was increasing all the time, und at presont there were applications for telephones involving an expenditure of nearly £IOO,OOO. The demand was so great tliut no Government could within one or two years provide tho money to enable tho work to bo carried out.

Mr Seddon said tl>e desire of the 1 'os tm as t er-G eneral had been to givo increased telephone communication, but as Colonial Treasurer, he did not i;w his way to finding extra money for the purpose. However, when it came to the work of colonisation and assisting the people in the back-blocks, ho was quite prepared to find a reasonable* amount foil that siHiciul purpose.