Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, FEB. ,8, 1917 MAGNUM OPUS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 February 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, FEB. ,8, 1917 MAGNUM OPUS.

It is pleasing to see that the Westland and Canterbury Chambers of Commerce are working so unitedly in regard to the Otira tunnel works. At latest accounts these are not progressing too well. Sinoe the resumption of work subsequent to the holidays, there has been a shortage of labor, while the driving has not bean so „good, wet ground being met with again. It is stated there is room for a large number of men on the workß, and we do not know that the Government are making any speoial effort to fill the plaoes, Mr Fraser as Minister of Public Works, does not appear to show any personal enthusiasm about this great national work. He does not appear seized with its importance, either in regard to making the work revenue earning at the earliest moment, or realising what a great def velopment factor it is going to be between the East and West Coasts in particular. The Canterbury Chamber of Commerce put the matter very fairly and firmly, to the Minister when it wrote: “The Chamber since the war began has refrained from unduly pressing the compleiion of the work, but having in consideration the prosperity of the Dominion the time Las now come when it has become imperative that th 6 work be completed.” This does not stress the matter unduly. The great importance of the work in its relation to the provinces affeoted, and to the Dominion at large certainly justifies the speedy completion of the line. It would ba well if the m'erposition of the Canterburv Chamber of Commerce could infuse a little enthusiasm into the Minister in regard to the work, and as an effort is being made oa the other side of the ranges, we hope when the Mini-'v mmes this way, as hs is shortly d- , n<*c Weetlaad will support the Canterbury effort with all spirit. Some attempt has been made by Westland to win the atten-

lien of the Cabinet through the Act-ing-Premier. This is a move which should be persisted in, and the work already done should be followed up. The request from the Canterbury Chamber to the Minister for rigalar reports of the progress of the works is another proper step, A monthly barometer, as it were, would be an interesting sign to watch as to the thoroughness of the Government in respect to their expressed desire to finish the work quickly. In connection with official opinion on the payable prospeots of the vro-k, it would be of great public utility if the reports of the advisory railway officers coaid be published and circulated. A Christchurch newspaper has referred to one special report being of a peculiarly enlightening nature. We believe another report to the same effect, bnt of a later date, was prepared quite recently. If these documents coaid be got into the bands of the Cabinet Ministers they should be very helpful at this stage in bringing the Government to a more definite line of policy in regard to the Otira work. A speeding-up is Decessary. The works are at that stage now when the extra energy is most necessary, and this development should be demanded with persistence till it is conceded.