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Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1921, Page 2

Tub West Coast is out of the picture so far as the tour of North Island Members’ of Parliament is concerned, which tour began last night. The visit confined to the East Coast only, is being made by parliamentary representatives who are invited by the Reform party of this Island. It seems to he rather an invidious distinction to make and folk will he wondering what political significance it has. The East Coast is a long settled district, and is well served with roads, bridges and railways. Tn Westland, for instance, the vehicle d'ond is only open for about half the length of the county. For the rest settlers have to struggle south hv horse tracks. There is a great want of bridges all the way south, and though Mr Coates promised much when here, is not going to perform much un:ler his rigorous retrenchment policy of public works votes. As to railways, we have the outstanding fact of the southern railway being stopped deliberately :it Boss, by the Reform party, and the

money spent in more favored parts of the Dominion. In their East Coast tour the members of Parliament will cover well made roads and numerously bridged rivers by comfortable motor cars or reserved carriages. Here on the other side of the ranges, the settlors will continue to struggle as best they can without a helping hand from these representatives who in the aggregate help to constitute the New Zealand Parliament. The Coast is therefore going to 1,0 ostracised again—doubtless because it is of the wrong political colour. This is the move of the Reform party which is supposed to stand for the square deal all round.” The Coast it would appear is to get what is left of the deal after it has gone all round the Dominion ! No doubt those expensive tourists ' will have a good time, but in those times of frugality, when the Minister of j Public Works is putting on the screw, ! will it not be a futile time? In reality j with an empty exchequer nothing can I l,e accomplished of value to the people. But the members will have a pleasant j joy ride. Perhaps this is the Reform ! idea of keeping up the spirits of members in these days of sl#mp and stringency. Once more, wonderful are the ways of Reform!

On the eve of the municipal election we would impress upon the electors Llio need of exrcising their votes tomorrow to the fullest and host advantage. Ihe choice, of the new Council is in the hands of the townspeople, and m the ii vcrsi*jo the people choose wisely and well. But we hope there will be a strung vote numerically, so that those elected, whoever they arc will have a dear malulnto I'roin the people. We are imping that the new Council will make its terms of office years busy activity. The late ventilation of municipal matters has created a fresh atmosphere with regard to civic affairs, and wo believe a more active policy will he directed by the Council. I here is work to he done. Tho town needs a revivilying policy so far as its thoroughfares and reserves are concerned, and the councillors if they move about the town with their eyes open will see plenty of scope for activity. A good workable policy in regard to work should be enunciated by a works committee on ' the lines of previous committees of the like character. Regular committee meetings, supported by detailed reports of the works clone or contemplated would be of practical value in focussing operations and at the end of the term there will he something definite on record of what lias been clone. The prospects of the town and district justify an optimistic spirit in regard to the immediate future, and should make possible a steady forward policy capable of improving the town and its environment by degrees in a reasonable way. No scatter-cash proposals arc suggested or even hinted at. There are works of importance in all parts ol the town staring at the Council, and these should he. taken up methodically and put through as the funds will, allow. We feel sure that sooner rather than later it will he necessary to formulate a loan proposal for urgent works, and when a responsible committee goes into the question deliberately it will he able to bring clown a well considered scheme, w hich truly carried into effect will justi fv the existence of the Council, and tlu> general public Interest, which we hope to-morrow’s event will arouse among the electors.