THE PREMIER'S TOUR

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 70, 12 March 1908, Page 4

THE PREMIER'S TOUR

BALK H;oM TilK XOMiIKKX THli\ DEVELOniEM* OF AUCKLAND. ' ~1 iiad a wi> »me. trip, reuiarKcu "?ir .jo*ep»i uma to a Jsew /.cuiailil Jiine-s lrpoiu; on AioUU.'y liiglit, uhui ijile-ijuiieti about iu s c\leiiik*ti loin iti iue -North, wncie ciie i'lfciiiUl made lituist-u prrooiiaiiv ~c - (jiiainied (jiiainied with the givai ot lue mole outlying [n»rtiou- oi the Auckland provuue. Iheie h.ni tieeli for -nm,. time ill viialiou<> lo >ir -io-cpli liotii variolic portiMi- «»i ui<- in»iiiiciii di-tric-t to visit l««alitic-. and in hi-, live weeks' >«»j«iuniiiig Uu-ie iie ha- been enabled to until longstanding prumiv-. He travelled urv eMen-iveiy by rail, motor, and -learner, and especially by motor wa-i he able lo gel over a gle.tt atrelch of countn north aud suutli ot Auckland. The accorded to the Premier ; throughout hi* tour were of a very , cordial uutwn , aud there were huge gathering- of people at the mimennii meeting* addres-ed by him. He received many d' putation-, and this ivp-j mentation vl local placed him in a position of Woming jamiliar with the actual requirements of the districts visited, information which will be of much use in the future. "I was very much impressed with tlic country iu part-. 01 course, there is a great deal oi poor country compared lo what i- luund in the southern parts, though much 01 it Jja- tlie aivantage that it requires no winter ie»:d lor siotL owing lo the lavourable climatic condition-. Ihe roads iu certain localities are vers bad. from tin* tact that there is no metal available, but. otherwise, tbey are well laid out.

"The ijueslion oi Lac north of Auckland carrying a large population is ueyond ijueslion, as tliey get railway labilities which will enaolc them to l;c served by rait connecting with the cast ami weat coasts. It should be distinctly favourable tor stock-raising, mm growing, and dairying. Dairying is. 1 was glad lo =ee, making great progrc:s in many patts ot the Auckland provin e 1 visited, and the future prospects of thi* industry there are of a most encouraging nature. "Then, too, 1 visited th* guinlields. Some people imagine that these are entirely worked out. This is quite a mistake, and there is still a great deal of gum available. " The people iu the north are in wonderfully good heart aud spirits; even the old identities, some of whom have been there over fifty years and are doing well in their own way, regarding the future with a hopefulness that was sheering to see."