Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1920. OPTIMISM.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1920. OPTIMISM.

The special article appearing in this is sue from the pen of Mr P. R. Climie, Organiser for the Canterbury Progress League, strikes a definite optimistic note in regard to citizenship. Mr Climie looks forward and asks what the citizens desire to make of their district—by the year 1930! No one wishes to stand still, and least of all to drop backward. There is not the desire for decay, but for progress, and so. Mr CJin/ie suggests the people should set themselves n goal, and strive diligently to attain it. A district such as this requires constant effort to engble it to forge ahead. It is in a development stage, and in respect to some branches of possible expansion, a transitory -'r.ge. Its situation does not lend itself to ready expansion, for isolation is a drawback. There is hope that by next year the district will be linked up with the general railway system of the South Island, and that connection alone will supply the means for a special fillip in both trade and industry. But the personal effort will require to go finnd in hand with the new opening and opportunity. It is for the people now to set about thinking of the chance which /is dawning and to prepare to realise advantages from the changing conditions. Folk must have confidence in 4*fie future of the district-, and work as for assured success. Action is necessary, and for effective action, unity is requisite. The proposed Progress League should bo a medium to advance matters materially. Progress is n pleasant sounding word suggesting solid substance, and to win that- reward the folk must seek to develops their district with unity of action and definiteness of purpose. Mr Climie suggests that an increased population is necessary; quite so, but the opening ip industrial avenues or settlement must be available. It j’k certain that with the assured regular railway .service which the East and West Coast connection will afford, more people will be drawn Imre, and if employment were available or other opportunities for enterprise afforded, the heedful population would flow westward the quicker. This, then is a. rimy of great opportunity. The people may fiaye the fullest confidence in the immediate future, for natural advantages from railway animation will alone lift the district ahead. But ■ if, in addition, the people will show a ! progressive spirit and launch »ut into ■ a. district development scheme such as providing cheap power tor manufacture ers and other branches of industry, file return will more than justify the enterprise. 'file people, too must display the progressive spirit ia helping themselves with regard to reading and bridging the district. IRelying ..defy on the Government we might by i 940 or 1950 get- all the roads and bridges required NOW for settlement constructed and erected, but if the people would help themselves a little, it might be Possible to get the required public services fry 1930. 'A saving of ten or twenty years wj/1 //jean a great deal to the community, and the advancement of the place all the time yvifl make it all the easier to pay for the eonye#i.«.?e«-i, , 5. The folk hereabouts can afford to be optimistic really, the future is so bright; t]i.e.n let their optimism fake a practical turij by showing a disposition to help thcmsclyys. and incidentally their district.