ASSISTING SETTLEMENT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1886, 21 October 1913, Page 9

ASSISTING SETTLEMENT.

PROGRESS OF AVESTLAND. (By TelcgTapli.—SthM Oorrw.rondent.l Hokitika, October 20. Vory gonoral satisfaction is expressed in towni to-day and also in tho southern district at tho generous way m which the Reform Government has risen to tho occasion with regard to tlio development of tho'largo and potential district of South Wcstland. The matter of tho renewal of tho oversea service between Hokitika. and' South Wcstland was first brought under the notice of tlio present Government in February, when a deputation waited ,on tho Hon. F. M. B. Fisher, who was t'ho first Reform Minister to visit Westland. Mr. Fisher gave the deputation clearly to understand that tho Government intended getting twenty shillings in value for every pound of tho taxpayers' money that was expended, whilo ho also intimated that tho Government was prepared to help thoso who helped t-homselves. Tho outcome of Mr. Fishor's premiss was that _ a number of local residents who wero interested in the development of tho district and tho progress of South Westland decided to form a small company with tlio object of providing a suitable boat to work the southern harbours. Thero is 110 chance of the company paying a-ny big dividends, but it is hoped that tho boat will enable tho southern settlors to get their stores and ship their produce -by a moro convenient and less costly method than by tho long road journey. Tho company has como into existence, and true to' the promise given by tho Hon. F. J.I. B. Fisher, it was announced on Saturday that Cabinet had decided to grant tho shipping company an annual subsidy of £000 for five years. Tho conditions aro that tlio company's boat must mako twelve trips per year to Okarito, ivino to Bruce Bay, six to Okura and to other southern ports if required by tho Department. . Tlio vexed question of the other sea servico has been settled in a most satisfactory way hy tho Government's subsidy, and the company will bo enabled to push 011 their operations and get tho much-needed sorvico in going order by arranging for a regular oversea service. Tile Government will make progressive settlement possible, and another decision 011 the part of the Government indicates that they intend to carry their motto of settlement, mora settlement, and still more settlement into the farthest districts of the Dominion-. Much of the land in South Westland is held on mo6t unsatisfactory tenures, and it is hoped that as tho leases fall in a vigorous policy of settlement will bo insisted on. Tho Govornment intends making a start right away, and.it was decided 011 Saturday to cut up a run of 8000 acres at Bruco Bay and utilise tho land tor closer settlement. Without_ the oversea service this is impracticable, but having mado provision for tho sea sorvico tho Government are justified in using their best efforts to promote settlement. It is understood that the Lands Department will select about thirty specially fitted settlors,_ who will bo given every legitimate assistance in tho liopo that they will all mako geod.Somo of tho Anti-Reform peoplo of Wcstland are agreeably surprised at tho Reform Government's impartial treatment of Wcstland. Prior to the election a section of tho community was persuaded into tho belief that onco a Reform Govornment got into power Wcstland would be starved, that tho old ago pensions would bo abolished 1 , and that tho v/holo country would go to tho dogs.' ■