Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star TUESDAY, JANUARY 13th, 1920. A FORWARD MOVEMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star TUESDAY, JANUARY 13th, 1920. A FORWARD MOVEMENT.

The occasion appears to be ripe for a Westland forward movement. Here, at the start of a new year, with the dawn of peace, after five years strenuous war, and with prospects for a material internal development, there is the opportunity for the people to help their district to progress and expand. It is a work in which all should co-operate to assure success. There are various ways in which the local bodies, institutions and people might co-operate to achieve the desired end. The development of Westland is possible in many ways, for there are many subjects affecting the welfare of the district which require ventilation and the subsequent handling to give them effect.

Means of communication are essential to the greater progress of Westland. There is the need for arterial connection with the East Coast by way of the Otira tunnel and there is the necessity for the perfecting of the means of communication into South Westland. The former will bring the whole of the district into connection with the railway service of the South Island. What a boon this will be can hardly be imagined in its true color}. The linking up of the two Coasts will remove the last barrier of isolation to this side of the ranges and send the district ahead by leaps and bounds. In a lesser degree the bridging of the southern rivers will play a magic part in booming the pastoral and scenic territory to the south of Hokitika. If the people would realise what would be brought in the train of the improved communication which is possible, they could not longer remain indifferent to the position in which they find themselves torday. Realising the immense possibilities for development wo would expect them to unite in an organised, agitation which would not accept any refusal to their demands. So much depends for the future of the place on better means of communication, that the subject cannot ho taken up too heartily or too enthusiastically. 'The local bodies will be looked to of course, to give a lead, and the Chamber of Commerce will be expected to assist as in the past, but the public- can do a good deal individually by personal support to the projects wherever possible. It is not unreasonable to expect the Gtira tunnel to he finished within a couple of years, but according to common report the present rate of progress will account for five years! There is so much involved >n a- national way, apart from the provincial benefit, that there is every reason to press the Government to the fullest extent in urging a greater organised effort towards speedy completion. Sir Wm, Fraser had the opportunity of associating'' his name with tile finished tunnel, but did not rise to the occasion. A successor will take his portfolio immediately, and it will he for that honourable gentleman to carry the work to completion. To ensure such a consummation the peoplo most intimately affected by the work on both side of the ranges should unite in a common agitation having for its object the accomplishment of so important a step towards i! forward movement.