TARANAKI AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 May 1920, Page 5

TARANAKI AFFAIRS.

CONFERENCE OF MEMBERS OP PARLIAMENT. RAILWAY MATTERS DISCUSSED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, May 22. For the first time for many years the Taranaki members of Parliament have decided on united action in regard to matters aflecting the province as a whole, tliis decision being the outcome of a very successful conference which Was held in .Stratford yesterday afternoon. The conference was convened by Mr. R. Masters, M.P. (Stratford), on the suggestion of the chairman of Stratford Railway League (Mr, W. P. Kirkwood), and in addition to Mr. Masters there were present Messrs W. T. Jennings, M.P. (Waitomo), S. G. Smith, M.P. (Tarnnaki), and 0. Hawken, M.P. (Egmont). Mr. Masters stated that he had received an apology for absence from Mr. W. R. Powdrel], M.P. (Patea), who could not attend owing to pressure of business. In the course of his letter Mr. Powdrell offered his co-operation in any movement which stood for the good of the province.

'flic con c «renre unanimously adopted the following resolutions, as representing in their opinion the most important work which should be undertaken by the Government in the Taranaki district, all particularly stressing the the. need for giving pride of place to the Stratford -Okahukura raihvav:

1- That the first work to be put through on behalf of the Taranaki provincial district should be the rapid completion of the Stratford-Okahnkiira railway. (Moved by Mr. Masters.) 2. That the Government be asked to concentrate on the completion of all tunnel works and bridges to be constructed on the Stratford-Okahukura railway. (Mr. Hawken.) 3. That the Te Roti-Moturoa line receive the fullest consideration from the Government, as it would be an immediate revenue-producing line. (Mr. Masters.)

4. That llic opening of the Mount Egmont quarries be urged upon the Government as a work of importance in the interests of the whole province. (Mr. Masters.) 5. That the Government be urged to provide on the estimates for the erection of a bridge over the Mokau river. (Mr. Smith.) The foregoing decisions were later reported to a further meeting, at which there were also present: The Mayor (Mr. .T. W. McMillan), representing the Stratford Borough Council; Mr. W- P. Kirkwood, representing the Stratford Railway League, and Mr. .1, B. Richards, representing the Stratford Chamber of Commerce. Mr. McMillan presided. After the resolutions had been yoad, the chairman moved that the delegates of the three bodies should endorse the decisions as submitted bv the conference of Taranaki members of ParliamentMr. Smith said that he was fully in accord with the motions, and would lend whatever support .possible to matters of provincial importanee. Mr, Hawkcn gave a similar assurance.

The motion was carried, 1 -also a resolution thanking the members for attending the conference.

Mr. Richards then moved the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Kirkwood nnd carried: "That a conference of delegates of all the local bodies of the various electorates be convened with a view to forming a Progressive League or other body for the purpose of pressing the needs and requirements of the Taranaki, Stratford, Waitomo, Egmont, and Patca electorates; the resolution adopted at this conference to be submitted to that meeting." The matter of convening the conference was left to Messrs McMillan, Masters, Kirkwood, and Richards. Regarding the question of joining forces with the Auckland Railway League, it was decided to take no action, the meeting being of the opinion that the matter was one for the conference to decide.

In reply to a vote of appreciation, Air. Jennings slated that in his opinion the conference which had lieen held that day marked a new era in the progress of Taranaki. particularly from the standpoint of politics, and he trusted it would be the precursor of further conferences. To his knowledge it was the first conference of members that had been held during the past 14 years. The other members also expressed the hope that further conferences would be held where matters of provincial interest were concerned. "PULLING TOGETHER."

Speaking at a social gathering held in his honor at Midhirst last night, Mr. R. Masters, M.T., referred to the conference of members of Parliament, and remarked that for the first time within his memory the members representing Taranaki, both Reform and 'Liberal, had decided to pull together on all matters affecting the province as a whole. The members of Parliament, had to remember that they not only represented their own district, but the whole province, and it was their intention to t.ikc the broader vision of provincialism and ■work for the whole of Taranaki. But to achieve the best results the people must'back up their members and assist them in «very way poasibls. (ApSkUSB.)