Railway Construction.

Additions to the open lines of railways could not go on at the rate at which they were going on now. Mr. Taverner and Mr. Sterling recognised, as all others in the service recognised, that a very big task was set before the Department and the Government and handling the greatest service in New Zealand, and they needed all the co-operation the public could give them.

After referring briefly to certain historical facts in connection with New Zealand, the Prime Minister went on to say that only the foundations had been laid of this wonderful country. He did not know of any other country which was blessed as was this Dominion. Climatically there was nothing to beat New Zealand. He had never understood the reasoning of people who thought New Zealand had reached the limit of its development. In years to come the Dominion should have a population of between three and four millions of people. Of course, the population should not increase too rapidly—circumstances would not allow it—but, if they made up their minds to put people on small areas of land, they would lay the foundations of important development. In fifty years he believed New Zealand would be looked upon as a powerful young nation. (Applause.)