Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, AUGUST 2nd, 1920. LOOKING SOUTHWARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 August 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, AUGUST 2nd, 1920. LOOKING SOUTHWARD.

The deputation of Parliamentary members headed by the Member for Westland, who waited on the Hon Minister ,of Public Works last Friday anent the extension of the railway beyond Ross, Iliad what must be considered a favourable reception. Tli.o Minister, (the Hon J. G. Coates) went so far as to say that the railway should be carried across the Mikonui river, and that stage accomplished, the level line to the Wajtaha river, the present point of railway authorisation, is in sight. This is as much as the petition asked for, and is. all that the petitioners expected. The outlook is therefore good. Mr Contes in his remarks expressed the opinion that considering die large amount of timber that was beyond Ross, .the line should lie carried on south. This is what

the Westland folk have -been arguing for years, anti was the sound argument under which the Ward Government was induced to authorise the railway to the Waitaha river in 1911, and. place a preliminary vote on the appropriations for the commencement of the work. This vote disappeared from the ‘appropriations later through the action, or inaction of Mr Coates’ predecessor in office. When the -Massey Government came into office the. extension of the railway was held up, find the vote soon disappeared from the appropriations, the money going to other and later railway works authorised by the Reform Ministry. It was at this stage that private enterprise realising it would have to rely on its own resources if industry was to be promoted in the south on a large scale, proceeded to erect its own railway. At a very considerable cost a line was laid beyond the railway terminus, the Mikonui river bridged, and the forest [beyond towardsthe Waitaha river tapped hy rail. The ''monopoly” such as the company is said t-o have, came about in that, way, and for the position the Government is entirely blameworthy. Mr Coates’ predecessor was made personally aware of the facts as the project proceeded. He was told if the Government would not go on with the work authorised by Parliament, private enterprise believed the outlook so satisfactory, that the company would undertake the work from its own resources. The whole position was clear and above board, and the Government remaining indifferent to the situation, a private bridge was constructed. Such is the history in brief of the alleged “monopoly’’. But the private line may deal }

Sonly with its own commodity, and as there are vast stretches of forest lands south the railway is essential to recover the timber before it is destroyed by expanding settlement. Tlio Government lias been told over and over again that / the transport of tlio timber to come from the south will alone pay for the cost of the lino over and over again. This was before timber became so valuable a commodity. Now it is an essential requirement for the well being of the Dominion, and! \South Westland is the' most accessible part of the Dominion whence vast stores of timber may bo drawn. The arguments in favor of building the line as quickly as the money can be provided are therefore intensified, and the new Minister of Public Works is to lie congratulated upon grasping the position so quickly and indicating that hero is a. work essentially necessary which should bo proceeded with without, delay. The deputation which has been so successfully organised by Mr vSeddon, is the outcome of a. petition prepared by the Westland Chamber of Commerce at the request of some of the South Westland settlers. The signatures to the petition were mainly confined to residents of tile south or persons having interests in that quarter. The' petition was largely signed and had it been more widely circulated 1 no doubt many more names could have been obtained. The intention however was to confine the request to the people most directliy concerned, and so let the Government soe how much in earnest the people of the South were. The publication of the Public Works Estimates will now be awaited with spocial interost to ascertain what degree of financial help the Government will afford this year, For a commencement the vote will not bo large, but we hope to see a sum at least sufficient to carry the line to the Mikonui river so that when next session the bridging of the stream is provided for, it will be, possible to transport the material for the structure right ■ to the bridge site. The promise of this important district work adds to tlio vision of the. already bright future in store for South Westland.