MINISTERIAL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 209, 10 May 1912, Page 5

MINISTERIAL

I the minister for railways. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. The Hon. 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 oi; the South Island," Mr. Myers said, "is taken with a view of examining the railway system and of meeting the officers of departments over which I 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 be increased, and to that end I am being furnished with full reports by my departmental officers. Everywhere I go I find .that, owing to increased 'traffic, demands are being made for improvements. This I view with some satisfaction, as it discloses the fact that the demands are made because of the increased development of the country'. It is my desire that the Railway Department should rccogrti--A! their responsibility as public carriers, and should give every reasonable facility to our customers. It is quite clear, however, that this, like 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 he 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 tin- 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. I 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. Geo. 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 330 miles away, in order to save a halfpenny a case, 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 half white pine measurement be charged of not more than l%d per case. They were really paying 2%d per case in the meantime. At present the "shooks" had to be put in bundles, and that was objected to. The deputation suggested that the concession should be made only to bona fide fruitgrowers. The Minister said that the fruit industry was an important one, and was capable of expansion for export purposes. The Railways Department was anxious to give every facility for the carriage of goods, but 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 be fully considered as affecting the whole country. He would make enquiries into the matter, and let the deputation know the 1 result.

j THE PRIME MINISTER. Dunedin, Last Night. The Prime Minister returned from the south this morning, and soon afterwards was waited on by several deputations. A deputation which represented the Dunedin Expansion League urged the extension of the Otago Central and Law-rence-Roxburgh railways, and irrigation {in Central Otago. In reply, the Prime Minister said that the interests of Otago would never be forgotten bv him. Tie believed that between £1.000,000 and £2,000,000 would have to be 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, but the question of au-; thorisation to Roxburgh was a matter for the Cabinet to decide. He was in favor of extending the Otago Central railway when the Catlins line had reached a certain point, but he 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 th'e 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 in about three weeks' time. THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL.

Ohristchurch, Last Night. I. Mr. H. G. Ell, Postmaster-General, was [ entertained at a complimentary social [ given by his constituents to-night. The Hon. A. M. Myers was also present. Mr. Ell quoted a number of figures relating to the growth in the postal and telegraphic business. In the course of a short speech he said that it was his intention to extend as far as possible among the masses the benefits of his Department, including the extension of telephones to communities at present cut off from ordinary civilisation. THE HON. G. LAURENSOtf. The Hon. Geo. Laurenson paid a short visit to Inglewood yesterday, where he was met by the Mayor and a number of friends of the Liberal Party. Subsequently he motored on to New Plymouth on a brief unofficial visit. Accompanied by Mrs. Laurenson and several personal friends, he visited Pukekura Park, which elicited the warmest expressions of admiration from the party. The Minister then inspected the site for the new workmen's homes at Moturoa, and paid a visit to the oil works. Mr. Laurenson expressed his amazement at the potentialities of the work 6, and said that he had not had the faintest idea previously of the immense possibilities of the industry. The party returned to Stratford in the afternoon, en route for Toko, where the Minister addressed a meeting last night. Tonight Mr. Laurenson will be present at the social to be given to Mr. McCluggage at Whangamomona.