WITH THE ACTING-PREMIER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2588, 24 August 1909, Page 3

WITH THE ACTING-PREMIER.

VISIT TO WAIROA. (Special to “Times.”) WAIROA, August 23. The tranquil serenity which usually prevails in the pretty little town "of Wairoa gave way to-day to a scene of bustle and activity, consequent upon the presence in its midst of the ActingPrime Minister, the Hon. Jas. Carroll. Deputations were the order of the day, and commenced as early as 7 a.m., when the Native Minister received a persistent petitioner, who stole in with his cup of morning'tea. CONFERENCE WITH THE MAORIS. The lovely weather which has accompanied Mr. Carroll on his trip continued, and the waters of the river were glittering in the sunlight when a conference of Natives commenced on {■■he Marine Parade 'opposite Mr Oman’s hotel, at 107a.m. There was a large gathering of 1 r Natives, and a most interesting" si girt was presented as orator after orator addressed the Native Minister in impassioned speech and with eloquent gesture on their various requirements and needs. Mr. Carroll sat throughout the ovations with a face as impassive and inscrutable as the r -'nhinx, hut proved that he had not missed a single word of the petitions by replying in the Native tongue with that fluency for which he is so.renowned. The burden 0f... the Natives’ harangue was the need for closer settlement, the necessity for reading their lands to give access to their holdings, and a request that the Native Land 'Board might hold a sitting to individu-alise-tlioir titles. They, like the pakelia. are feeling the pinch of depression, and realising that it is no longer possible to hold aloof and try to work their own lands. Each man urged his own interests, and all appealed to their “little father,” 'the Native Minister, for his counsel and guidance. The Hon. J. Carroll, in his. reply, told the Natives that if they wanted their lands roaded and bridged _they would have to pay rates like the Europeans. If thev came in and paid taxes !.boy would not only have a say in local government, hut would benefit themselves bv helping the pakoha to improve the roads. The Natives. like those at Morere on Saturday, readily agreed that the host solution of the difficulty was for them to place themselves on an equality with Europeans by consenting to pay like taxes on their lands. The Hon. Mr. Carroll’s address lasted for upwards of 40 minutes, and was received by the Natives with proTumi attention. DEPUTATION FROM COUNTY COUNCIL AND TOWN BOARD-

After the Acting-Premier had fortified himself with lunch he had to face a strong deputation from the Clyde Town Board and the Wairoa County Council and citizens. Mr. J. P'Owdrcll presided and presented the requirements from the County Council the first of which was a grant for the Stewart’s Crossing bridge. Pie said the Council still owed £853 on the bridge. They had already paid the contractor, Mr. McLouglihii, £3500, but saw no way of finding the remaindor, as their exchequer was exhausted. They had only received £SOO of the £llOO promised bv the Government, and would be glad'if Mr. Carroll would see that the remainder was forthcoming. Other matters they wished to bring under the Minister’s notice were the Issuing of a fresh .warrant authorsing the engineer to survey the road through Poutere A and B blocks, the deviation road through the Pakowhai block, a stock reserve on the Tangoio estate, the completion of the survey of the Napier to Gisborne railway, and rating Native lands, with special reference “to the Mohaka and Tutaekuri lands, formerly held by Europeans, hut which had now reverted to the Natives, and were not paying rates. Mr, George Britnell, chairman of the Clyde Town Board, brought several matters under the Acting-Premier’s notice, among which were the need of a new post office, a through mail service to Napier in one day, insufficient Courthouse accommodation, the appointment of a permanent clerk of the Court, insufficient police supervision, and the need for more Justices of the Peace. Mr. W. A. Neale, of Waikareinoana, presented a petition for a new post office at Frasertown. Other matters mentioned were the Waikaremoana-Galatea stock track and a road from Wairoa to Gisborne, via Mangapoike. In connection with the rating, ox Native lands,.Mr. Britnell stated that the whole district was seriously handicapped by the inability to collect rates bn. Native lands, and he trusted that Mr. Carroll’s recent promises, as reported in the press, would be made good. , , ' ' Mr. J. Corkill asked that the Government, should set apart a reserve as an endowment for the Harbor BoardThey were 100 miles from a railway 40 years ago, and were that distance now. ■ Wairoa was the only harbor in. the colony that had no endowment. Their river for the first four miles was the finest in the Dominion. Nothing could step them making a harbor at Wairoa. It might be delayed, but in spite of opposition the w,ork would go on. until successfully accomplished. There were several reserves in the district that could he set aside as an endowment, and he asked Mr. Carroll to see that v’airoa harbor was assisted in this W<iy, | n reply, the Acting-Premier stated that "Wairoa was steadily progressing, and would make even greater strides when the native lands came into occupation. This summer would see the difficulties which had prevented the occupation of several blocks in the vicinity of the town removed. At the conference that morning the natives haxl agreed to pav taxes the same as Europeans, 'and thus help to shove the district ahead. With regard to an endowment for the Harbor Board, bad better try to secure unsettlec. Crown lands than get a reserve already earmarked for another purpose. VVaikokopu was also asking for an endowment. With regard to the survey of the railway from Napier to Gisborne, it was hardly likely to stop when it hacl got within 30 miles of Gisborne. W hen the engineers reported as to the probable cost of the line, then the Government would be able to consider whether to undertake the construction. With regard to more Court-house accommodation, it was likely that anot.ier magistrate would be appointed, who would take W T airoa and the East Coast, leaving the other settled permanently at Gisborne. After promising to bring bx\ request** formulated b-efore his colleagues and to do what lie could to forward their wishes, he concluded. A . hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Carroll for his answers.

RECEPTION IN POYZER’S HALL. There were a hundred gentlemen present at the reception to the Acting-Pi-emier at Poyzer’s Hall in tho evening. Mr. Geo. Britnell presided, and read a letter of apology from Mr. W‘.

-'‘ . . | D. Lysnar (Mayor of Gisborne). He aslo apologised for the absence of Messrs A. Sinclair (chairman of the Wairoa County Council), and Mr..G. Mayo (member of the Harbor Board). The toast of the evening,_ “Our Guest” was proposed by the Chairman, heartily honored, and felicitiously responded to by the Hon. J. Carroll. A lengthy toast-list was gone through interspersed with songs and recitations. Mr. A. D. Mackay proposed the toast of “The Parliament of New Zealand,” coupled with the name of Mr. A. J. Davey. Mr. Vaughan the toast' of “Local Bodies,” coupled with the names of Dr. Somerville, Messrs. Powdrell and Wilson. Other toasts proposed were: “The Army and Navy,” by Mr. Sargisson. responded to by Captain Bax and Mr. Davies; “Pioneers of tlie District,” proposed by Mr. G. B. Oman, and responded to by Messrs Black and Carr,; “Farming Interests,” proposed by Mr. Foote, and replied to by Messrs J. Davey and McDonald; “Commercial Interests,” proposed by Mr. Storey, and responded to by Messrs Fox and ‘Thomson; “The Visitors,” proposed by Mr. Corkill. and acknowledged by Mr. P. Sheridan (Welling-, ton): “The Ladies,” proposed by Hon. J. Carroll, and responded to by Mr. Baird; “Tlie Press,’! proposed by Mr. Green, and replied to by tlie representatives present. The following address was presented to the hon. gentleman: — “To the Hon. James Carroll, M.P.— We,' representing tlie. electors in tlie Wairoa portion of the Gisborne electorate, take the opportunity of your visit to Wairoa to offer our congratulations on reaching the highest position open to a citizen of the Dominion, the Premiership of New Zealand, which

high office has never before been held bv a native-born New Zealander. The older, residents have had special opportunities of following your career from infancy, through your school-days, and your later experiences and political struggles, to your present exalted position as head of the Executive of New Zealand during the absence in England of your, leader, Sir Joseph Ward. We trust that success will crown your generous efforts, that you may live to see the European and Maori working unitedly in developing the resources and increasing the prosperity of this Dominion. Wishing you every success, •,ve have tlie honor to remain, Alex. Sinclair, G. Britnell, J., Corkill, John Somerville, Fred. J. Foot, A. It. Mackey, L. Storey, Fred. Vaughan, John Davey. A. W. Hague, W. C. Symcs, G. Mayo, G. 8.. Oman, P„ Wilson.” The address presented to the Hop. Jas Carroll was mounted on silk floating from a bar in the shape of a shield, with gold tassels, and was adorned by

two huia feathers. It was presented by Miss Sergeant, of Wairoa. On rising to reply to the presentation, the Hon. Jas. Carroll was received with prolonged applause. He said he accepted their recognition of any personal worth he might possess. The Honor done him more particularly affected him, as he was born in the district in which they were honoring him that night. On the other side of the river was a cabbage tree borne down with age, and near that he had been born. His life had been a chequered one until he arrived at the position in which they found him that-night. Those who aspired to public life had to run the gauntlet of public criticism, and were sometimes scorched, but ho was glad to say that the public press which differed from him and his party had always confined their remarks to legitimate political comment. There were eminent gentlemen who had occupied high places in the fic-ld of politics who were native born, but it had fallen to his dot to be fortunate in being the first native born New Zealander to occupy the highest position in which electors could place him. Having a wide conception of the view of things which allowed him to consider the Dominion as a whole, he would make it liis high aim to live up to the highest traditions of the position. Since this country was conceded autonomy of its own, its Parliamentary life was cucli as to redound to the credit of any country. From Sir George Grey down to their present leader, Sir Joseph Ward, the way had bean blamed for him

to follow. One had only to use the machinery with a little care and talent to make it run smoothly. Now that Wairoa had come bade into the electorate, he honed that whatever redistribution of seats might take place, his would never lose Wairoa. The population of Gisborne was increasing at such a pace that there,was a possibility that the Gisborne seat might be greatly curtailed. If such a thing occurred, and if cireninstances permitted, he- might still represent Wairoa. He had entered Parliament in 3887, and was the only member who had an unbroken representation in the House. Since that time the value of the public wealth had increased by £250,000,000, and ho was proud to have been associated with the. Administration that had produced such a record. There Were signs' of a change in' all countries, and the highest order of intelligence would be required to meet them and harness them for good, so that no harm might ensue in the revolution of things that was taking . place. From communications he had received from Sir Joseph Ward, he could tell them the decisions arrived at had been satisfactory to the Dominion. Our

oversea trade was of such a magnitude that required the defence of the whole Empire. Ho was sure the Dominion would not fail, and .that anything we could do would be accepted as of solid assistance. Touching on the land question, lie ' said it would be a cardinal question in the coming session to put tire people on the land in order to mako two blades of grass grow where one or none grew before, Wo ' wanted to shoulder .more responsibilities on to our local bodies. Our Administration was a glorious one, and served to make us the finest, country in the wtirld. From the crowned head to thq humblest individual, the duties of the Government dovetailed in so perfectly .as to make any man proud and honored to belong to the British Empire. There was a groat future before Wairoa., and a great forward movement had been made in conference with the natives that day in getting them to agree to have their lands taxed the same as Europeans. (Applause.) He referred to the importance of Wailcaremoama to Wairoa, and forecasted a great tourist traffic in the near future. He also referred to the possible utilisation of electrical power at Waikaremoana, and said that the Dominion might one day-

be a great- manufacturing centre. Freezing works were bound to be established at Wairoa, mid the construction of a line between Wairoa and Gisborne was by no means a remote possibility. There was a forward stride observable in Wairoa, and he hoped they would advance' it to its furthest possible limit. Though the Government had to borrow a great deal of money, they had public assets to show for it. - So long os the country was. growing they would have to continue borrowing, but no one could complain i ifthe: works for which money ,was bor-

rowed were interest earning. As you borrow for local bodies, so the Government" must borrow for the Dominion. If good for thexn, it must be good and uececsarv for the Government. Mr. Carroll concluded an eloquent speech of an hour and five minutes’ duration by thanking them for the honor done him that night, and he was heartily cheered oh resuming his seat.