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Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1920, Page 2

Cn'STOs cor era 11 v Ve i.s their wont, will hold out, the richt hand of fellowship to the Hon. J. ft. Coates, Minister of Public. Works and Defence, as, also, Postmaster-General, due in Westland

this evening. It is the lion, gentle-' man’s first visit to the district We believe, and it is hoped. the conditions will be suclfas to give him a. pleasurable impression of Westland. Mr Coates took up Cabinet rank on his return from war service, wherein he won the Military Cross (with bar) for his gallantry on the field. It is only quite recently that Mr Coates has become Minister of Public Works. This is a Department of much importance to the backblock country standing jn need of national development, and Mr Coates is not- likely to bo judged harshly nor prematurely in advance. Ho has yet to win his spurs as a’ Cabinet Minister, and the Const knows how to be. patient, and will afford the lion. Minister time to feel his feet ns the saying goes, before passing any hurried judgment. Mr Contes comes to a district of great potentialities. Vast as has been the wealth pour ed out in golden treasure, that source is still far from being exhausted. The Coast needs opening up to get into the back country, and with facilities provided, treasure of great value still will be yielded up. This immediate country is only in its infancy in regard to settlei ment and pastoral pursuits. When the bush goes down and grass cpmes up a new and more permanent source of wealth will he provided with the recurring seasons. So that in asking for help to develope Westland the request will not he one sided—the country itself will reap rich reward from the returns following development.

Mr Coates may not hnv'e met as yet the official just appointed to the’charge of NeW Zealand, forestry. That officer has hoen here lately, and although lie has had but the briefest of , glimpses of our forest lands, ho is bubbling over with enthusiasm about the prosperous future of Westland by the efficient handling of our timber resources. Just as roads and bridges, Mr Coates' will find are needed for our expansion in settlement, so also the Minister will find railways are necessary to tap the southern forests to provide the rest of the Dominion with timber. Westland, according to Captain Ellis,' will : n a very brief space, be the sole supplier of timber for this country and as we know that the forests stretch away to the confines of the province, there is teercing wealth in the forest- lands to repav the country time and again for railway extension south. Then the Minister must needs become acquainted w'th our natural resources-in the way of' scenery. He has seen doubtless the artificial places made and maintninol by public funds in other parts of the Dominion. Here lie will see the full charm of nature are unadorned by man for himself. But access and improved access- are needed to reach these great vantage points, and if the Minister would pursue the policy of the square deal air round he will find, ample opportunity for operating that policy in neglected Westland. The local bodies are sure to press their requests eloquently, and for tile rest of the people will wait patiently for the Minister’s f.hr and equitable attention to the demands. ,Meantime the Minister will receive on all sides a- cordial'welcome to Westland 1 the province with- the great future ahead of it.