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Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1920, Page 2

| Apropos of the subject referred to in I the foregoing article, it is pleasing to find that the South Westland settlers interesting tlieni-solvos in their own ipublic affairs, and have woke up to the need of having railway convenience extended further and further south. The South Westland railway is one of 'hose public works which must come to pass, and why not sooner than luter. If the people of this day and generation are to enjoy its advantages and utilities they could not do better than net as they have commenced now—to agitato for the extension of the line south of ]{oss. A petition is circulated in iho south .to this effect, and the north should lend a supporting hand by hacking up the demand for the work. The district is equitably entitled • o it. There is something stronger than a mere scrap of paper for the Oovornment

to honor in this instance. The authori- I sation of the work is statute law, and it is for the Government to administer I the law as they find it. The extans’on j of the Itoss raihvy as far the AVaitaha river was authorised by Parliament as j far back as 1911. That authorisation j is not yet honored. Now that a eew of Public AA r orks is coming amongst us it would be wise to direct his attention to the legal and equitable position and ask for that measure of square dealing which is supposed 10 be associated with the present party in power, so far AVestland has not had a square deal with regard to the line in question, the dealing has been very crooked in point of fact, but if Minister will do the square thing now we will let bygones be bygones and make the best of the belated justice meted out to us.

The first day of the railway strike as disclosed bv last night’s news did not reveal anything very serious. The Minister of Railways and the Union officials were at arms length, exchanging telegrams which it was very pleasing to see did not show an y bitterness and not any temper. Mr Massey had to leave the Royal visitor and hasten to Wellmgton, so' as to be at headquarters ta di rect the fight—if there is to he a fight. It would appear that the Govern uent has made up its mind on that aspect. | However, Mr Massey made the obvious and sensible suggestion that the fight should he called off pro tern while the prince of AVales is here, and the men could take what attitude they wished at the close of the visit. If the men are well adlvised they will accept that advice and doing so would’ gain a tactic'll ad vantage. They would not, as 1 hey otherwise will, alienate the bulk of I public opinion if they persist in the strike now. Indeed they would have been wise had they told the Government yesterday, instead of striking, that if matters were not adjustel to their I’king by June Ist., they would take the only action then open to them. Tills would have been thoughtful for ihe reputation of their country when entertaining the Royal viitor, and would have given full time for the public to consider what was ahead of them. If , they take' this belated action now, good will come of it. Their loyalty will not be doubted, and in the interim wiser counsels will, we feel sure, prevail and prevent, thei Catastrophe which inw 'threatens to befall in the present eager effort to penalise—not the Government • —but the public as a whole.