THE INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 April 1919, Page 8

THE INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE.

VISIT TO TARANAKI On Saturday the Parliamentary Industries Committee were taken over thg Hawera district and the Waimate Plains, visiting the principal factories and several farms, and seeing the dairying industry in full operation. The members were greatly impressed with the splendid roads, the close settlement, a|nd the general evidence of progress and prosperity. The party, with several representative men, were the guests of the chairman (Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P.) to luncheon at Dawson's Falls, and in the afternoon tea was served at Mr. Wilkinson's beautiful grounds at Eltham, where they were met by the leading men of the Eltham district.

In the evening the committee arrived at New Plymouth. Yesterday morning they proceeded to the mountain, reaching the house at about 11 o'clock. Here the party was joined by the Hon. W. D. S. Maedonald, Minister of Agriculture, who had motored from Stratford, where he had visited the experimental farm. The party, which included several ladle's, were accompanied by the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. C. ( H. Burgess), representatives of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, the Expansion and Tourist League, and Mountain House Committee, and luncheon was partaken of at noon At its conclusion Mr. Johns, president of the Chamber of Commerce, briefly welcomed the Minister and committee to the northern part of the province, expressing gratification that the committee had considered it worth their while to include Taranaki in their itinerary. The Hon. Maedonald, in responding, said it was most certainly worth while to come to Taranaki, for he doubted if there was a better district in any part of the Dominion, or, indeed, in the whole world. He was much struck on his way from Stratford that morning with the prosperous appearance of the district, and particularly with the neat and well-cared-for surroundings of all the homes This showed that the farmers were prospering, and took an interest in their places, and people who did that also took an interest in the country He paid a tribute to the splendid part taken by Taranaki in connection with the war, and took that opportunity of thanking the people, on behalf of the Government, for their help and co-operation. Having visited the points of interest about the houses, the party returned to town via the Egmont Road, the visitors thus seeing the interesting undulating country between the Jjinction Road and the Main North Road. They alighted at the park, and saw as much of its features as was possible in a walk through to "Brooklands." Here they were afforded a rare treat, viewing the giant Spanish chestnut tree and the puriri trees, the symmetrical rhnu, the horse-shoe ferns, the ricli and beautiful dahlias, begonias, etc. The party, loth to leave such a feast, then walked through the bush to "Maranui," where after viewing the grounds, they were entertained to afternoon tea by Mrs. T. C. List. The party returned to town by motor, after spending what they acknowledged was a very interesting and enjoyable day.

TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME. The committee sit to-day at 10 a.m., when they will hear evidence in regard to the dairying, ironsand and petroleum industries, hydro-electric power, mineral deposits of the province, etc. In the afternoon they expect to visit the ironsand and oil works.