Make the Towns Pay

for the country districts. I assert that the towns pay now, and that they will continue to pay in an increasing ratio so long as the present system lasts. That the towns pay now is proved by the fact that the average distance travelled is under 11 miles.

It should be borne in mind that the concessions proposed to be given to the country are only temporary, and that as settlement takes place, they will gradually come into the same position as the districts round the capital towns. One thing is quite certain, if we are to prosper we must do something to help the country districts. What is the use of placing small settlers along the North Trunk Line under existing circumstances? If they are not provided with cheaper and better means of getting their produce to market, they will all be starved out within a year. Small settlers cannot be graziers; they must be dairymen or cropraisers. This class of produce cannot now be sent 100 miles. What would be the fate of men who had to send it 150 or 200 miles? Suppose one of these unfortunates, 150 miles off, had a ton of potatoes to send in. If sent direct to Auckland the charge would be either 34s. 5d. or 37s. 4d., but if sent to a station three miles south of Auckland, it would be either 32s. 4d. or 41s. 10d. at the option of the Department. Everybody knows that potatoes are frequently sold in Auckland at less than these prices. I believe that every article these men could raise can be bought in Auckland for less than the present transit charges.

It is now proposed to borrow another