M.P.'S ON TOUR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 221, 6 February 1913, Page 3

M.P.'S ON TOUR.

IN CEN i I'AL OTAta). MR. lIINE Sl' K A i\S I'L.MNLV. At Koxburg (says the Star's correspondent) only two North Island members voiced their opinion, and only one (Mr. lline) spoke of the railways. Mr. Hiiie was at least candid, and he counselled all people to view ihe matter from' a business standpoint. lie advocated full consideration of their possibilities in utilising Central (Hugo's water power to generate electricity. It therefore behoved Ministers to collect all the data possible, for surely ui Otago there were grounds lor assuming that in. regard to mines anil works there were two sides to every question. Therefore, they where under the necessity of Hading out what the results of tie proposed railway would be before it could be authorised, and until that information was forthcoming no member was in a position to say whether the requisitionists were entitled to get a railway or not. If all the land they had viewed would respond to the application of water as the present irrigated areas had responded, then they had a. rich eountrv indeed all along the route the party had travelled. Mr. W.Craig completely answered Mi'. Hine by pointing out that previous Governments had obtained isuch information, which supplied convincing proofs of the productivity of the country. It was estimated at that time that the line would return 3'/ 2 per cent, on the capital outlay, but since then development had increased. . The Teviot fruit growers would be willing to go the length of paying a levy on each case of fruit, in addition to freightage, if the railway were given to them. EQUAL TO THE NORTH." Mr. Wilkinson, M.P. for Egmont, said to a Dunedin Star reporter that it seemed to him that the greatest want of Central Otago was water for irrigation purposes, and that many of the areas still held hy the Crown were eminently suitable for irrigation and closer settlement. The keynote of the Massey Government's policy was settlement of'the lands and still closer settlement wherever possible. Districts such as Cromwell Flat and Callaway Flat, if properly irrigated, should he capable of growing anything. It occurred to him that such lands would grow grass equal to anything in the North island, and there was no reason why the dairy industry could not he taken up profitably by the settlers. Other products might he grown with advantage to the settlers in addition to grain and fruit. In certain parts the settlers were insistent upon a railway being built, but, of course, that opened up a Targe question, as in other parts of the Dominion similar claims were being advanced. Consequently it would be very difficult to build individual lines without taking into consideration the requirements of tho other districts when it is a matter of votes. But, in respect to irrigation, there are not many other districts with similar necessities, and certainly any reasonable irrigation vote asked for by the Minister will he cordially supported by the whole House. Speaking generally, it would be better for the settlers of Otago Central to lose no opportunity of developing and advancing the productiveness of their districts, and then it would he only a question of time when they would enjoy the benefits of railway communication. The hospitality accorded to the visitors had been unbounded, and in that particular the settlers of Central Otago could not be excelled in any other part of the Dominion. YET ANOTHER TRIBUTE. What do the northern politicians think about the present, conditions and needs of Central Otago? asks the Star. They have not hesitated to confess publicly en many occasions that they have been agreeably surprised at the fertility and extent of pastoral, agricultural and fruit-growing land, and that the chief needs are irrigation and cheap means of transportation. Observe the opinions of ilr. 11. .T. 11. Okey, M.P. (New Plymouth), a farmer with abiding memories of the meadows in Taranaki. Speaking at Lowburn Creek farm, he said:—

If I were it young man I would not be afraid to come to Central Otago to make a living. And I feel that T could do it. We agree that the wants of Otago Central are the same as those in northern districts. We want assistance in the building of railways. The people of Central Otago want a railway to get your produce to the market, for it is impossible for the fanners to pay £2 a ton to get produce to Clyde, and 30s more to have it taken to the ultimate market, and be thoroughly successful. We all have to unite. Northern members should unite to help to get the Otago Centra] people's lines, and southern people ought to help northern setilers 1o obtain their railways. As n result of my visit. I be able to speak from personal knowledge. There is a new era coming to your district. Mining is done, and yon must now rely on the land. You will find that the party that was represented will help you to get over the siile. 1 hope you will prosper in the future under the reign of my party more than you have done in the pnist. When a Taranaki farmer speaks so candidly of the conditions and needs of Central Otago. surely Dunedin people, to say nothing of their neighbors south and north, should "tak' heed and mend" their mistv views.