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Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1921, Page 2

There still appears the determination on the part of the Government to treat South Westland with studied indifference in regard to those requirements, which if conceded would lift the district ahead substantially. We are reminded that this month the second weekly mail to the Waiho Gorge has ceased and several important centres are left without a postal connection for a week at a time. When at the same time, aerial mail services are being established in the Dominon, overlapping railway masf services, we certainly >roi test against Westland losing its southerh service. But there , are ether phases • in which the south suffers neI gleet. The erection of the bridges continue to hang fire. Excuses of van* us kinds are offered, ( but they are not adequote reasons, for in other parts of the Dominion the labor and material are being provided for works, yet in W ?stland excuses are given why the labor | and material may not be provided. ‘ Tins, too, notwithstanding Ministers.representatives of Progress Leagues, and j what not, have declared that tlie sou--1 them district is just languishing for the means of communication which j other more fortunate districts‘ha ve had j available long ago. Then in regard to ! the utilisation of the swamp lands, I here again Ministers and Government j engineers have recognised the wisdom of doing something, but nothing has been done. Tlie procrastination is excused from time to time—yet the work stands over indefinitely. The resources of Southern Westland are now well recognised and the district has such a • promising future Jiefore it, that it is worth helping in every way. ahe promises of the past are in need of reand it would be well indeed to see an active move in that progressive direction—for the south is a district which will respond handsomely as the facilities for its dovlopment fire made more and more available for the I convenience of permanent settlement.

Very little has been heard of late of the proposed dairying enterprise for the Okuru district. It was mentioned some little time ago that the project was going forward, and it was hoped ere this the whole business would be well in train so as to be ready for tlie n xt season. It is to be hoped the matter is not being lost sight of, as the establishment of dairying in the far south, is just the sort of industrial enterprise to lift the district ahead. Remote is it is, the only exports possible on present lines, are the stock which can walk out of the district. The splendid stock producible in that district is a tribute to the pasture lands, and if *he settlers would turn some attention to dairying there is no doubt the land would carry the milking stock as successfully. The dairying enterprise would be a special aid also towards more regular marine communication with the far south. The industry itself would develope trade and creating freight would -oisure the possible trade of the district bring catered for more frequently than is now t.ie case. Certainly a more frequent sea. service would he of great help in advancing the district, and the settlers should bear this in mind, and be prepared to help themselves to secure the service. 'There is now in the far south, plenty of cleared land for dairying) and it requires only the the introduction of the milking strains to see beards equal to the best in New' Zealand established in the south. The folk there understand good stock, and branching out in the dairying line I hey would have further field for their activities as breeders. Nothing seems to stand in the way of the project, but their own determination lo push on with it, and achieve the undoubted success which other enterprising centres have made with dairying up and clown the Dominion.