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Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1921, Page 2

Ik tlio times so generally forecasted come to pass, one effect will iio the awakening of the public conscience to the shortcomings of, the t-sjii li try’s land policy. Times have been so good, that no on,, bothered about a land policy. The Government was content as usual to go with the tide, and buy land on the dearest market every time and all the time. As a contemporary remarked even the densest people can now see the folly ol that policy—we have the word of a Minister, Mr Nosworthv. for that.

Surely tho House does not propose. to allow this subject to go by default t during the short session, so that the S Government may go on buying dear land and settling discharged soldiers on terms that will have to be modigecl with the certain fall in the prices of | produce—butter and cheese, for instance. It would be a good thing, if ( the Minister of Lands were compelled by law to show the results in respect of every estate that lias been purchased .<■ and .settled. He should show the price paid for the estate, the number of i settlers .placed thereon, and the income I the State is receiving from them, so ; that Parliament and the country could arrive at an approximate balancesheet. As it is. all the essential information is cither with-held or gcheialised, atld it is impossible to trace the effects of the policy in detail. All the public knows is that millions of good money have been spent oh high-priced land and tlmt the bulk of the new settlers will have to be assisted by the taxpayer, while those people who sold the land to the Government look on and smile —except in a few cases where the landowners were patriotic* enough to accept fair values. All honour to them, we say A short, hurried session and-a long recess that ought to hve been devoted to a careful study of acute and immediate problems are the pric e New Zealand must pay for having what is practically a one-man Cabinet. The House could, if it would, refuse its sanction to these proceedings, while cordially agreeing to Mr Massey’s visit to London, llut the Reform majority will we ar P afraid, agree to anything. We trust, however, that the Liberals will take their proper part in the proceedings and try to protect Hie country against the worst.evils of wasteful expenditure, oppressive taxation and reckless land-buying. The great need in the present brief session is trenchant, candid criticism. • Tjik public meeting on Friday night convened for the purpose of creating an interest in beautifying the town, though not numerously attended, got on to the right lines and some material advance was made in the way of organising This was a practical step, and now that a committee has been set up wo 110p e a definite organisation will be the outcom e and that as part of Beautiful Westland, Hokitika* will occupy a worthy place. The Mayor indicated a weakness in . Borough finance as some excuse for Hie ! laxity which had been remarked oil in regard to municipal affairs. There may ' be a good deal iil this, but it is reason- , able to expect in such a case that one effort would be made to meet a stringent situation in the best way possible. ! The Council unfortunately has been effortless, and the lack of spirited ac- ' lion is the main cause of its plight to- , day. A progressive spirit in regard to , municipal affairs is still possible without putting tm undue strain on the rates, • if tip. Councillors’would slum tip, enterprise and reliance which has been suggested from time to time to meet Hie ease. But that is another story, though it is worth recalling at tip. mo- t nient- because the town is on the eve of its biennial civic elections. The com- ■ mittep. appointed by the public meet- , ing sits to-night, and no doubt will formulate a scheme for action. A great ■ deal requires to let* clone, and much can ! be done in cjuite a reasonable way by j co-ordinating action on tip, part of Hp. i people themselves. No doubt if a live | organisation is founded and some prac- ' tical results are shown, the public* at large will readily support any move- j meat which will add to tip. amenities of the town. Hokitika is happily situated, and lias a charm for hosts of visi- j tors. It has a bright future* before it as the centre of a flourishing district. It is for the people to seize the* op- J portunity and help themselves to live more pleasantly in the good times com- j ing. By making the town a more pleasant place to live in population will be attracted, and the* townspeople as a whole will reap a reward. Best of all our own lives will be* brightened and we will be a happier people for our own efforts. !