M.P.’S ON TOUR.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1921, Page 5

M.P.’S ON TOUR.

START OF EAST COAST TRIP. WEEK-END AT ROTORUA. By Telegraph —Press Association. Rotorua, Last Night. The Parliamentary party touring the East Coast arrived here on Saturday evening. They Were 'welcomed by Mr. Hockly, M.P., representing the Rotorua electorate, Mr. Hill (resident officer) on behalf of the town, and Mr. McLean (president of the Chamber of Commeree). They were then motored to various hotels and boardmg-houaes, where they were lodged as the guests of the proprietors. The party consists of Messrs. Atmore, Kellett, Lysnar, Witty. Svkes, Luke, Hoekly, Glenn, Ngata, Williams, Hawken, Mitchell, Masters. M.P.’s, several journalists, and an official photographer. On Saturday night the visitors were received by the Maoris at th'e Wakarewarewa meeting house with hakas and speeches. referred to the injurious effect of indiscriminate Crown proclamations locking up native lands suitable fbr farming purposes, the ur;,nt need of a railway to Taupo, and the need of metalling the main roads,, that from Rotorua to Waitapu in particular. Messrs. Luke, Kellett, Lysnar, and Hoekly replied, promising sympathetic consideration of the requests. Supper was provided in the tea kiosk, and an excellent entertainment of songs, hakas, and por dances followed. , On Sunday morning the party visited the King George Hospital now containing 156 military and sixty-one civilian patients, including children. The visitors were shown round by the Commandant (Colonel Hogg) and the matron (Miss Hodges), and they were much impressed with the excellent work done in the vocational workshops and with the comfort and good results, especially in the infantile paralysis ward, now containing 56 children. Major Wallis, in charge of this department, Stressed the need for a hospital for orthopoedic cases not caused by infantile paralysis. Mr. Masters, on behalf of the visitors, expressed their admiration and appreciation, and Colonel Hogg replied. A On Sunday afternoon the party visited the State nursery plantation reserve at Whakarewarewa. Excellent work is being done, and it was pointed out trat in ten years the plantation reserves a .11 supply millable timber, and m twenty years' the present area planted will produce, under proper treatment, thirty million feet annually, one-tenth of the total timber requirements of fub counAw.