WEST COAST TOUR.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 September 1920, Page 1

WEST COAST TOUR.

PROGRESS LEAGUE’S REPORT. (Lytteltoff Times). > ■•‘The first and foremost requirement :is undoubtedly the completion of the Otira Tunnel,” said the organiser of the Canterbury Progress League, in reporting on Wednesday evening on the recent visit of the Canterbury delegation to the West Coast. Mr Climie said. that it had been found that complete unanimity existed on the Coast ip. the desire to complete the" railway connection, and the people seejned quite willing to surrender their own local, requirements for the present in prder to concentrate their main energies on the tunnel undertaking, be- : lierjing that upon this work depended the entire future welfare of the Coast. Indeed, all other requirements were considered by them to he more or less dependent oh this plain connection with the Outer world,,as without it their district; must remain backward, undeveloped and neglected. Dealing with South Westland, Mr Climie said that lie feared that it would lie some time before railway communication was extended to any appreciable distance south of Ross, and for that reason concentration on adequate and efficient road communication appeared to afford the best, simplest and easiest solution of the present undesirable situatiqn. The prospects of Westland, especially in the south, were so bright as to encourage every effort being made to open up its valuable lands, which, by actual results, had proved to be admirably suitable for dairying and cattle raising, to say nothing of the untold piineral deposits and scenic wealth. The . visit to the State Mines at Greymouth showed the need for improvement in getting the -miners to and from their work. The State Mines were not alone in this: respect. In Duller the principal requirement, second only to the Midland line in importance, was the completion of the Boiler Gorge railway. When completed, the line would connect Westport and its valuable .supplies with the main railway system of the South Island. The sincere’ancl grateful thanks of the delegation were due to the West Coast leagues and people for the good fellowship, kindness and hospitality shown to the party throughout their short but most enjoyable and profitable vist to the coast. The friendly relations so firmly established between East and West as the outcome "of the visit should certainly be followed up. It was his intention, at some future and convenient date, to seek authority to organise another visit, hut on the ue^‘ : occasibn lJ tlie“"'Mihist‘er of Public Worjcs and .members of Parliament should he included, all of whom were prevented from taking part on this occasion owing to their parliamentary duties. Mr W. K. M’Alpine said that Canterbury would he well repaid if it gave the West Coast all possible assistance. The Coast’s prosperity, in his opinion, was bound up with the dairy farming, and grazing industry, which should receive Government assistance. There was any amount of coal; the difficulty was labour. The miner was not complaining about the conditions in the mines. What he did complain of was the difficulty of getting to and from work. Mr H. Holland said that a tremendous '.'mount of waste was going on in the timber and coal areas, calling for immediate Government action. Mr G. If. Judd read an interesting report on farming methods and prospects in South Westland. The league thanked the delegates for their reports and carried the following resolution :—“That the executive desires to express its warm appreciation of the hospitality and kindness with which the people of the West Coast received the deputation.” A motion was carried expressing the league’s appreciation of the valuable services rendered by the Christchurch newspapers in connection with the visit.