Hokitika Guardian & Evening star SATURDAY. FEB, 24. 1917 THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening star SATURDAY. FEB, 24. 1917 THE WEEK.

The Ministerial visit this week end should be interesting, not so mnoh because of what might be given by the Hon Fraser—for the Minister will probably tell us in the old familiar strain that be bas nothing to give—but what South Westland will do for the Hon Minister. South Westland has reaohed that stage now when it will stand inspection, and if Mr Fraser is as impressionable as the ordinary visitor to the south district, ho will return with a greatly enhanced view of the potentialities of the district, Anything that has been done for the south district heretofore bas contributed to the development of a permanently settled district which will be a lasting asset to the Dominion. The progress of late years, since dairying became an established industry, bas been remarkable. The pastoral prospects of the south are of an enduring character, both in relation to dairying and stock raising. The settlements at present are only dotted here and there following the river flats. When the waste places in between are bronghi in to profitable occupation, the output of the district will be greatly increased. The advance in settlement during the last few years has been very substantial. The rateable value of the three southern ridings daring the past nine years has increased from £85,000 to £302,000. This is very solid proof of the material advancement taking place in South Westland.

Access always plays an important part in territorial development, and if South Westland but had improved means of acces, it would advance still more rapidly. It was in the Public Works Statement of 1911, delivered by the Hon S. McKenzie, that the pleasing announcement was made that forj. a’ authority would bo asked

for the extension of the Ross railway beyond the Mikonui river. Mr McKenzie was as good as his word. The Bect ; on of railway was authorised, and £SOOO put on the estimates on account, The Statement put it very modestly when it said ’“This line will provide an outlet for a very largs quantity of milling timber, as well.as opening up a considerable area of agricultural land.” There is no question of what the land can produce, and as to the timber, private enterprise is now ready to do what the Government negleoted to do ! For, in the following year, the Hon W. Fraser* —our present visitor—became Monitor of Publ c Works. In his statement of 1912 he recited what Parliament had done the session previously, and went on to say : "Daring the year a survey of three miles of the route was made and plans prepared, but no construction work was done. Tbe expenditure out of the appropriation amounted to £51,” Then a very unfair thiDg happened, The vote disappeared from Mr Fraser’s Estimates. Strange to say there has been no explanation of Mr Fraser’s action, and we have not heard one word of justification for the act. It was not war-time, and railway works, new lines, wept on in more favored electoral districts. Why did Mr Fraser treat Westland exceptionally? It will be realised that at this junotnre the railway is impossible, but surely some explanation is due to the electors for the exceptional treatment meted out to the district. While the railway might be postponed jast now, tbe same leniency might not be shown in regard to bridges for South Westland, Mr Fraser has promised a bridge over the Mikonui River, after consultation with the people on the subject of traffic versus railway, That promise, we hope, is very near fulfilment. Then, on the Estimates for several years now there have been votes for bridging the Little Waitaha and Evans’ Creek. As bridges are being bnilt all over the Dominion, Westland should not be treated exceptionally in this matter also. There have been bridges going up in the Motueka and NeUon electorates, on the East Coast for tourist traffic, and in Central Otago—large works which have their utility no doubt; but in this expenditure there should be a fair distribution, aud a promising settlement district such as Mo Fraser will pass through on Monday, has its just claims. We are hopeful tbaftie south district will impress Mr Fraser, and that he will realise its needs for improved acoese. Ha has a very large sum to appropriate annually, and despite the fact that it ia war time, tbe question of providing for the south bridges is not beyond the country’s resources at this stage. Wa hope Mr Fraser will be equitable and that realising as he will the future before South Westland, he will do what is fair to the district and profitable to the country at large. The West Coast sets great More on the completion of tbe Otira Tunnel, and the opening np of through railway connection with the South Inland system. It is nearly nine years now since the contract for piercing the tunnel began, end the work is still in hand, but progressing painfully slowIn setting store on the cimpletion of the tunnel, tbe West Coast people do so for the faith they have in the value of the line, not aloue for its provincial benefit, but also for the certainty of its inter-proviccial benefit. We gather from time to time that those whose duty it is to probe these national works in the interests of tbe railway department, have no doubt as to the earning capacity of the time. The volume of traffic is going to be very heavy. The goods to be hauled are likely to surprise those of sanguine expectations, whils we are quite satisfied the passenger traffic between the two Coasts will develop enormously, The evidence of practical men who have gone -into tbe matter, all points to very heavy traffic, and the need for a constant service through the tunnel fo cope with the traffic. Here, then, are the prospects of the line being revenue earning, yet construction proceeds at a leisurely pace, while cost ia piling up, and a huge total accruing for an interest burden. Inter-provincial development is held up and general'y the " go slow” polioy is having as disastrous effect in this as in other matters to which the nefarious policy is applied.

Being war-time New Zealand abould aim at being not- only selfsupporting as possible, but also to increase its oatpufc of natural products se that tbe excess shall be ou the credit aide. Railway connection is going to make a great difference in the The Coast pastures will tbeu be usable at nil times of the year, while the B?.st Coast droughts will lose their terrors, when stock can be swiftly railed to the all-tbe-year round verdure of the Coast. The railway thus becomes a great national asset of safety for inter-dependence between the two sides of the Island, and-the prosperity of bitb will add to the sum of the Dominion’s advancement. We hope after Mr Fraser has seen South Westland —or at leaet a sample of it for he is not going into the land of promise below the Waiho Gorge—he will realise that there is a distriot worth linking up with the rest of New Zealand. To do this works at Otira must be speeded up, and what ia juafc as important, the electrification of tbe tunnel must be

advanced as quickly as possible, so that when the major work is done inside the mountain, there will not bo further protracted delay while work outside is broaght up to requiiements. Mr Fraser has the opportunity of making his administration with a great public work achievement if he can carry the Otira Tunnel to completion within the next two years at the outside —aud that is not an impossible period by any means,

The demand for sections in South Westland this week was remarkable. It ia worthy of record that some 207 people applied for the four leasehold eeciiirs at Wataroa, yet thrro was net a single application received for land available the day before in (he Grey district. The rush for tbe southern land is a ca>o in point demonstrating the avidity with which thu live? flats will be taken up when they ate available. AL-o, there is the fact, that the Watatoa land u adj cont to a 3 mrishiDg cheese factory wbeto the suppliers now are contributing their quota in excess wav profits as a result of fbe increased price of butter fat. Tbo experiance at Wataroa would be typical of a good deal of other southern land if it were available for selection. In connection with the four sections just allocated by ballot, it is interesting to note that they are part of an Education Reserve, and under old conditions the leasehold woisu have been sold by auction. If it bad gone to sale it would have brought a surprising price, as was indicated by the sale of a run in the same locality also, this week. The fact is the land in South Westland has taken on a value as a result of the success of pastoral pursuits. The increase we have given above in rateable values, while substantial, is far below what sale values would be to-day. Just what land is worth down .south, is being brought home by the land and income faxes being collected from Sooth Westlanders this year, In point of fairness, theD, the Government should he prepared to do a fair thing in the matter of aiterial communicafioo.