MR. HERRIES IN GISBORNE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3770, 4 March 1913, Page 7

MR. HERRIES IN GISBORNE.

FORMAL AVELCOME BY THE MAYOR AND CITIZENS. representations from the VARIOUS LOCAL AUTHORITIES. MINISTER’S SYMPATHETIC REPLIES.

The visit to the Gisborne District ofi the Hon. W, Herries, Minister of Railways, and Native Minister, was formally inaugurated yesterday morning, when, in the Borough Council Chambers, he was -welcomed by tho Mayor (Mr AV. Pettie) and a large and representative gathering of citizens. The Alayor, in welcoming the Alinister, said that they had assembled for the purpose of extending a welcome to Mr Herries on his first official visit as a Minister of the Crown to Gisborne. They appreciated his visit very much, and it afforded him great pleasure on behalf, of the citizens and settlers to extend a very hearty welcom to him, and to congratulate him upon having been chosen to fill the portfolios of Minister for Railways and Native Affairs—matters which were of supreme importance to the district. He could assure Mr Herries they were quite enthusiastic in. their welcome to him. The Alayor went on to say that the function would he more of a formal reception than anything else, but some of the speakers would bring important points before the Minister in the course of their remarks. The Alayor then directed his observations to the rapid growth of the district. The population a few years ago was some 3000; to-day is was close on 10,000. Tlieir rating and revenue were increasing at about the same rate. Rapid strides were being mado in the building direction. Whereas some few years ago they were spending £50,000 on buildings, the amount now expended was £IOO,OOO. Tho Council was spending a quarter of a million in providing the town with waterworks, electric lighting, sewerage works, tramways and road-mak-ing. One matter that was of great importance in the formation oil roads was that of the supply of shingle, and he would have Air Herries supplied before ho left the district with certain facts concerning this. The Mayor also pointed out that the Council purchased 10 or 12 acres on Kaiti Hill for a recreation ground, and lie would ask Air Herries to sec that they did not lose the subsidy. On railway matters, lie said; that they all recognised the importance of the construction of the Rotorua line, and they were very anxious to see the railway go ahead" at a faster rate. They were anxious also to reach Alotu at the earliest possible moment, as there was a great asset of timber there. They asked him, as a prominent member of the Cabinet, to see that more men were put on and to lmrry on the construction of the line. The town would like to urge ttliat the GisborneNapier railway be pushed forward from the Gisborne end. The opening of that country was of the greatest importance to this district. Air Kenway (chairman of the Cook County Council) alluded to Air Herries’ speech to the Natives at A\ anganui in which he said he wanted to see one law for both races. There were, said Air Kenway, anomalies in the Native Land Act that required amendment, find very often it was difficult to administer the law eouitably. He thought Air Herries’ speech would be welcomed bv all right-thinking men. They hoped that Air Herries’ visit would result in the railway to Alotu and to Napier being pushed forward with rapidity. They owed to Air Herries the thanks of the whole community for the help he had always given as their neighbor, in all matters aiSecting this district.. Air Townley (chairman of the Harbor Board) pointed out the many improvements they had carried out at advantage the district was enjoying through tli? service of the Takapuna. He urged tho importance of light railways as feeders along the East Coast, to'develop the district, but this and other matters would be brought before Air Herries’ attention in due course.

Governmant Buildings. Mr Bright (chairman of the Chairir her of Commerce) also welcomed Air Herries on behalf-of the Chamber, and drew the Minister’s attention to the necessity of new Government buildings. He believed under Mr MacDonald tenders had .been called faiths work, but with a somewhat depleted Treasury the work was not ~ gone on with. He hoped the visit of Mr Allen to England would result in a replenished Treasury. Another thing that the Chamber desired to bring under the Minister’s attention was that a proper geological survey of the district should be made, _ as many people were firmly of the opinion that there were great possibilities before the oil industry. The most important thing he desired to bring forward was the establishment of a separate land district for Poverty Bay. MiBright enumerated various difficulties at present in existence, and said that lie -hoped Air Herries would look person ally into tlio ma tter, and. that he would urge upon the Alinister of Lands the immediate appointment of a separate land district for Poverty Bay. Sir James Carrol! said that Air Kerries had an open field before him, and as one who sat opposite to him and with whom ho was in close personal touch, ho was pleased to join heartily in the function and give the Alinister a hearty and cordial welcome. On behalf of the district which lie (the speaker) represented, he desired to offer Air Herries congratulations on the high offices he occupied, knowing full well that the- ripe knowledge he had on Native and railway matters would be brought to bear on all such subjects brought under his notice. Mr Brown, as member of tlie. Borough Council, spoke of the difficulties which had been experienced in getting gravel from the pit, and urged upon the Minister’s notice the pressing importance of additional trucks on tlio railway for the timber trade. Colonel Porter, C. 8., said he was not in any way identified with local bodies. He spoke on behalf of the pioneers and early settlers of the East Coast, and desired to tender Mr Herr ries a, most hearty welcome. No doubt many questions of vital and general importance would be brought before My Herries in his dual position as Alinister of Railways and Native Affairs, but, as the chairman of the County Council had stated, the .Ali Ulster's long experffence in Parliament and known fairness of mind wouM guide him to impartial decisions for. the general benefit and welfare, apart from any party or personal consideration. In Mr Herries’ position, as Minister for Native Affairs, com-

plete and difficult .questions of administration must arise, tho more so as he was now in the special .territory ot the two expert ex-Ministers —foil' James Carroll and the Hon Air Ngata, who had ruled tho Maori land laws of this district—in fact the whole Dominion—for years past. It now rested with the Reform Government to weigh tho evidences and. decide now whether that past administration had been for tho equal benefit of both races. Colonel Porter continued that lie had, also, on behalf of the military veterans, to tender tho Minister a very hearty welcome and to thank his Government for the relief now afforded them by the military pension granted them. There were many-in this district and other parts of the Dominion now' in receipt of the relief they needed. The past Government was blameable for the tardy recognition of those old soldiers of both races who loyally fought for the suppression of rebellion. In fact 41 years had elapsed since tho war, terminated and many had passed from the roll of life. The.veterans generally throughout the country were 'gTatified that the Massey Government had so speedily fulfilled tho promises made on its behalf by its leader. He again bade the Alinister, “Welcome; Ihaero mail”

Mr Herries Replies. The Hon. Air Herries, who was cordially greeted, said that he would have 'come here before, but he was waiting to see if Air Alassev could make arrangements to come with him. Air Massey had found that it was utterly impossible during this recess to so arrange business matters; however, lie" would certainly come after next session and see the land, for himself, and the different railway lines projected and then he would be able to judge what should be done. (Applause.) Air Fraser would, also be coming in about a month's time, and that would be the time to consider the construction of railways. Sir James Carroll and he had fought for the wants of the East Coast for many years, and the starting of the railway was due to Sir James’s persistent efforts and what he (the speaker) was able to do in the matter he had willingly done. (Applause). Both as a member of the Cabinet and as member he would do liis best to keep the wants of the district not only constantly in view, but would do his best to see that they were attended to, and he knew in this he would have the assistance of Air AlacDonald, Sir James •Carroll and Air Ngata, though they sat on a different side from himself. He was fully aware of the importance of the railway. They in.tho Bay of Plenty were only too anxious to get in touch with Gisborne. Their end would steadily progress, and then they wanted to get into connection with the Aucklanu main line. Napier people were also anxious to get their lino constructed; so if they could all go together with tlieir case ho believed they would make out such a case that the Government must proceed with tho work. The Government would carry out the work as far as moans would allow it. On the matter of rolling stock the Minister expressed satisfaction that the matter had been mentioned, and promised to do what ho could when ho got to Wellington. Some of the trouble might arise by reason of the fact that the government. had not taken over the whole of the line. The Government hau a very, big programme of building rolling stock, so that he thought there should be some to spare, for Gisborne. At all events lie would take stops to see that they did not suffer from want of rolling stock. On Native questions lie did not propose to answer questions then, because lie hoped to deal with them fully that evening, but li9 would take the opportunity of thanking Sir James Carroll for the assistance he had always given him since he had takqn the office pf Native Alinister. He desired also to thank Air AlacDonald and Air Ngata. With reference to the new land district he would see Mr Massey about it. He was fully aware of the difficulties that confronted that locality in tho matter, but they must be sure whether it would do to join Opotilci with Whakatane. If they desired the change it would be as well to find out if the Bay of Plenty and the • East Coast would agree, to the the harbor, and alluded to the great change. Touching on the subject of public buildings Air 'Herries declared that Cabinet was perfectly aware of the necessity of such public buildings. At the time they took over office a lot of things were new to them, and it seemed to them in preparing the Public Works Estimates with the incomes at their disposal, and they did not have a plethora of funds, that the baekblocks settlers’ claims must not be overlooked—-(cheers) —the pioneers who had taken up land in the baekblocks. Cabinet knew that the buildings were required, and as soon as they could be assured of tlieir position they might rely on having the buildings erected. (Cheers.) On the matter of the Harbor Board the Minister intimated that he would receive a deputation from that body. He did not think the Mayor need trouble about the subsidy for Kaiti being taken off the Estimates. They could take it it would not be knocked off. With regard to river gravel the trouble ~ was that they were taking gravel or metal at rates that practically did not pay them. In conclusion Air Herries assured them that it was always a pleasure to come to Gisborne, and he was sure that his stay would be a very pleasant one.