Hokitika Guardian and Evening Star SATURDAY. JAN. 13 1917 THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian and Evening Star SATURDAY. JAN. 13 1917 THE WEEK.

An opportunity missed. Such must have been the verdict of the Westland folk who read the article published in yesterday’s issue in respect to the booming of the North of Auckland. Oar readers will recall that some few months ago the Westland County Council set out to organise such a tour for this district, but as so often happens, the local bodies lacked the spirit of enterprise to help themselves. The Auckland folk are going through with a rather more ambitious scheme than Westland hoped for, but to aim high is a good motto where development is concerned. Perhaps it is not too late for the Westland folk to recover themselves. Certainly with the Ministerial neglsct of this district there is more occasion than ever for the folk to be prepared to help themselves, and they should bestir in the matter betimes, Wbat is wanted here ia the creation of a local sentiment. Not in a parochial way but in a large district spirit. Those who have faith in the future of Westland—aud who has not?—should combine, and by a league aid the expansion and develop* ment of the district. There are many ways in which this provincial duty could be discharged hclpful'y. We have only to mention the Otira Tunnel completion as an outstanding public work of paramount importance to suggest work to justify and occupy the full energies of such a league as we refer to, Indoed, it was this particular work which prompted Cr Bruce at the County Council table to suggest a West Coast movement for a parliamentary invasion of Westland. This district will inspection. Of that we are fully persuaded. We are sure Auckland is going to gain immensely by next week’s tour. We do not begrudge that advantage but we do deplore that Westland should have missed such a golden opportunity to do likewise.

Auckland is gomg to demand from the Government " a modern and progressive policy for the expeditious opening up of the idle Crown and Native lands and the expeditious construction of roads and railways and other pcblio works.’’ What policy is Westland goiDg to adopt while such activity is going forward elsewhere ? Are the people here going to remain indifferent to the settlement of Crown lands, and to complacently look on while the Otira railway drags on with 24 men working at the face, and the south railway extension continues absolutely blocked and barred ? Are the people going to submit to the studied indifference of the Government on the question of bridging the south rivers, and to continue to watch with tolerous patience the inaciivity of the Government in fulfilling the promiso of an experimental farm for Westland

to help to proracte our promising farmirg interests ? If the folk are deteimined to continue a negative attitude and to wait for something to turn up, they ate doing an injury not only to themselves bat also those who come after. What is wanted for Westland is a publicity oampaign. Westland has much to be said for it. Let it be said. Let it be illustrated. Finally, do as Auckland is doing, and invite leading parliamentarians, pressmen, and business folk, and give them facilities to syy out the hud and see what sort of a country is here awaiting developments. Visitors should he drawn from til parts of the Dominion, and they would be used to advertise the district, its resources and requirements. Auckland supplies an example m a task which Westland might have led in had its publio man the enterprise to do so when the soheme was put before them a few months ago. Let them take heart of grace now and make good the omission while there is yet time.

Speaking of local enterprise the Westland Raoing Clnb might be cited as an example of aiming Ligh and achieving much, When the jubilee meeting was planned there were ! many who shook their heads, and dolefully predicted failure. The meetings held this week, justified the enterprise from eveiy point of view. The jubilee] was celebrated under the happiest of auspices, and if a loss had been incurred, the measure of success would have quite justified the coat. But a profit will accrue to the Club, and a very excellent advertisement has been obtained for the future. Further, the townspeople in various trades have reaped quite a harvest, so that ail round, the celebration was justified from a financial point of view. A little of this pushful spirit is required la connection with the development of Westland’s fortune*. Coasters can be good hosts, and a big excursion engineered to Westland could be made a very profitable venture, affecting the fortunes of the place for many a long day to come. Who will lead in this genuine enterprise for the publio good. ? The war is going to end this year. The Prime Minister of Britain has said so, and who will contradict him ? Rather, should we ask, who will not help him to verify that prophecy ? He has said that the success of the new British war loin oau S3oure the end he has in view. Here is a chance for all to assist. We hope soma steps will be taken to enable New Zsaleud to participate in achieving tha end which Lloyd George forsees. This Dominion is riding on a great wave of national prosperity. Money is flowing into the conntry in millions, and a large measure of this effluence should be diverted Lloyd George wards. The New Zealand National Cabinet will not be doing its duty EE it does not devise ways and means to enable a substantial portion of the wealth of the country to be diverted to enhance the success of the British war loan. The Allies, as was predicted, leaning more and more on Britain to win the war. Brilain will not shirk the burden, and to enable the yoke to pt6ss less heavily, the wealth of the country, in common with that of other Dominions, should be at the disposal of the Motherland. That will secure the real Empire partnership politicians talk so much about. It is a time for deedg, not words, No one desires this dreadful war to drag on a day longer than is necessary. But it is necessary to impress the enemy, and as money talks tho huge Ruccess of the British loan will do all the talking that is required to support what the Allies have said already as to the required peace terror. More, the success of the loan will ensure the war being brought to a close this year! Who will hang back, when so great an achievement is possible ? Tho occasion is momentous. It is one of the great crises in the war. The loan is the master stroke of the Lloyd-George Cabinet—the Cabinet beat cn doing things. Tho loan will have tremendous backing from the British people at Home. Will not tho British folk across the seas join too? Tho Dominions are freely giving of thrir fleih and blood to end the war. Why not of their wealth also? The wealth is heie, and flowing in un uuending stream. Millions every month are being drawn from the Homeland. Why not devise a scheme of finance eo that the money can ho left with the British Government, a 3 required and so hasten the glad day when Lioyd George’s beautiful vision of a peaceful future may come to pass ? Why not, indeed !