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Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1920, Page 2

The Minister of Finance (Mr Massey) took up rather a peculiar attitude the other day when lie complained of the activity of local bodies in promoting large public works for the betterment of their districts. Mr Massey’s complaint

was mainly, apparently, because these ' demands were going to deplete the J money market and force up the rates of interest. The Government, of course, is responsible for giving the local bodies borrowing powers, and in such questions as housing, sanitation etc., the Government is specially urging the local bodies to proceed with comprehensive schemes. Yet in the next breath the Minister at the head of j the Government which authorises and tyreets this policy complains that by so doing the local bodies are using up too much material, making many commodities scarcer—and dearer—and bearing the money market! It is a contradiction of the position yet if we are to have progress we must have-enterprise, and the records show that left to the Government alone the. progress will be ! painfully slow. The Government has 'admitted with regard to hydro-electric ' development but it cannot single-hand-ed meet the requirements of the coun- ! try in anything like a reasonable time, and in response to the public demand has given legal power to local bodies to j co-operate. The history of' hydro-elec- ! trie development in other countries is I a record of material progress. Only ! last week the visiting pressmen to Canada realised what the cheap electric power was doing for that enterprising Dominion, and the impressive views of the pressmen were sent round the world. Why should Now Zealand remain outside such a circle of progress as hydro-clectric development creates? There is no reason, of course, except it be our own neglect and indifference to a great undertaking which is capable of giving the country so great and lasting an impetus. Mr Massey is taking a very short view of the outlook to complain about an overplus of enterprise. It the situation were reversed and lie complained about a jack of energy 011 the part of the people, his comment could he explained. But the people are wise in helping themselves, artd in regard to hydro-electric possibilities they are* on the right track, bujlding op a sure foundation to ensure permanent prosperity for long years to come. It jsia matter for comment that a body such as the local Progress Leagiie composed of residents of both t-owp and country handed together for the betterment of the distriejt at large should have -to go cap in hand (o local bodies und pc£uajly “pjeacj” for the menus to carry • pa. 4-V4 q.piatjter for pvpy greater coinpienjr is flip attitude of ( oPf lpcaj h.ody or rathep sopie of ifs ipymbeys, wli.o question the utility of ii progress Jpague. The name of the newly established body suggests its mission, and if augmented with a strong membership, the body must be of value to the place, Bui are capable men who are prepared to devote ‘their tipie to the onerous duties imposed by membership of such a league, likely to go oii with the tac) l, if at the ,outset, they meet with discouragement iu. quarters where they shou.d find by rights tho greatest encouragement? It is a case ol‘ helping ourselves. If we are prepared to do so, well gr>,nd. we deserve to succeed; biit jf’ Vp life jm prepared to help ourselves, accept the responsibility, and rjpp’j. blame the times, the Government, the w+viiipf} 8F apy^hing ejse £ojr the stagnation which y,ifl jef ip. A Progress League seems to be more fhan e ven necessary hereabouts if the debate at ih<ji ROrough Council on a £lO grant to help iwsjsf th e district is to be considered a fair estfm.ato p:f public opinion and interest ill public affairs. ! J.f /Jplfitika and its surroundings is to j he anything ip future the Borough j Council must needs be moi-p Interested j and energetic in public affairs than j merely chipping the grass round the I parjsh pump. typ-dap >ve read jn a com r j rnereial jourpal a list of Borputyl ppun- • oils in New Zealand which are proposing ! to borrow oyer a million and a half for j various municipal works to advance ! their towns, but wo do not find Hokitika , in the list, even though the amounts • tail off to £3OO for Balclutha. I-loki- , tika is missing its opportunity and is ! not keeping strides with the times. Tho i spirit of tho age is progress, and if • Hokitika would try and catch something of the spirit \vhioh is abroad, it- should help the league fh.e name of jv-hfeh' spoils progress so that some new life might poggihly be infused into public tliouglit and policy, and the town and district be advanced accordingly.