8.—6

XV

The buildings for bath-houses and the general sanatorium accommodation at Eotorua are obsolete, and should be replaced at an early date by up-to-date appliances and conveniences. The lighting and drainage of Eotorua will soon be completed, and simultaneously with this there should be new buildings erected, new baths furnished, and proper sanatorium accommodation provided. This, it is anticipated, will cost about £5,000, and, if so, the money will be well spent. It may be urged that works of a more pressing nature demand attention: that is a matter of opinion, which the House in its wisdom must decide. BACK-BLOCKS AND OTHEE EOADS. In my last Financial Statement I called attention to the necessity for constructing roads to give access to lands occupied by Crown tenants in what are known as the back blocks. The expenditure for this purpose has been very large, but not at all in excess of the necessities of the settlers, who labour under great difficulties, and struggle on with a bravery and determination beyond all praise. They endure hardships that those in the more favoured portions of the colony fail to realise or comprehend. As many of the farms are more suitable for dairying than for any other purpose, properly completed roads to enable creameries and factories to be established is of paramount importance. Again, it is a well-ascertained fact that products of good marketable value have been allowed to rot on the selection, there being no way of getting the same to road or railway. Out of the million loan this year I propose to allocate, as was done last year, £150,000. I am pleased to say that it is the intention of my colleague the Minister of Lands to visit these back-blocks settlements, to see for himself what their wants and requirements are; and, having a personal knowledge, he will be in a position to expedite the completion of the roads most necessary during the summer months. The roading of Crown and Native lands and the maintenance of main arterial roads also demand attention. There are many parts of the colony, more particularly in the North of Auckland and in the Eohepotae and the Gisborne districts, which have no railway communication. In the winter-time the roads are almost impassable in those parts; and it is only just that out of the moneys to be raised sufficient shall be allocated to provide better roading. MAIN TEUNK LINES OF EAILWAYS. The North Island main trunk line of railway takes the pride of place, so far as public attention is concerned. Deputations have waited upon Ministers, meetings have been held, and petitions received. To this I take no objection, but when all sorts of threats are held out unless the Government pledges itself to perform the impossible, then I draw the line, preferring to do what is just to all parts of the colony, and not to rush into reckless and lavish expenditure. The colony has prospered and is prospering: why, then, should there be a, reversal necessitating the floating of large loans, and that at a time when we have, rather than float a loan at a sacrifice, to make temporary arrangements with our bankers ? There are two points of interest, the one. being the speedy completion of the work, and the other the route. The Government have come to the conclusion that the route for the most expeditious construction of the railway is the central one. Parliament has authorised this, and the surveys of it are the most advanced. It is the shortest, and presents the fewest difficulties in the way of speedy construction. After full inquiry, the Government see no reason for differing from the decision previously arrived at. Irrespective of other main trunk lines, the Government have been asked to pledge the colony to complete this line within three years. To do so, unless at enormously increased cost, would, owing to the character of the country that it has to pass through, be a physical impossibility. No one would think seriously of attempting to lay the permanent-way until the Makohine Viaduct has been completed, so that the rails and sleepers may be laid from the south