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Hokitika Guardian, 14 October 1921, Page 2

Tin: rather solid phalanx which tire Earniors’ Union deputation presented to the Rrime .Minister on Tuesday, would no doubt leave a very clear impression on Mr Massey’s mind, that Ilia most faithful friends and supporters are not in the best of humor with his administration. The farmers made heavy demands on the l’rime Minister, and it wilt he interesting to see how the Cioveriiment will dance to the time called. It was not very opportune on the eve of the Auckland election, that the farmers should demand free labour, anil the abolition of preference to union ists. That was a political indiscretion, and Mr Massey stalled it off as well as he could. But the situation had its amusing sile. The farmers were there as a union to do their 1 collective bargaining with the (lovernment, just as the labour unions have boon, doing all along. It simmers down to one form of union against the other, and the (Jovernment will lean to the stronger, hut will do it circumspectly. Labor will be up in arms against such a proposal, lint. Labor should hear !n mind that it was itself a contributory cause to the strength of the Reform party, by the eagerness with which it sought to split the Liberal 1 labor vote when Reform had to he fought. Even now wo shall probably see the same old split perpetrated at Auckland East this month, and tin* (lovornmont afforded the opportunity not only of increasing its voting strength in the TTouse, 1 lit also its prestige in the country. Labor should ponder on the situation and remember whence came the labor legislation of the past, and should not ho unmindful of its proved friends. That is one aspect. The other is financial. Mr Massey will he expected now to reduce the taxation on the farmers, and that means passing it on to other sections of the community who are not holding the land and who will he less able to hoar

it. Air Massey’s gilded promise of a' pleasant surprise within the next three months will he awaited with interest, i

The suggestion mooted to establish a tourist bureau in Hokitika is likely to , be favorably supported by some of the | principal citizens of the town. Ono gentleman lias offered bis services as ) honorary agent hero and there is no reason why an office or a. room should not he equipped where visitors to the town could get information about tho district, and spend an hour or two of leisure in reading or writing. Me understand a spare room suitable for such 1 a purpose is available in the Pubic Li- J lirary building, and if equipped comfortably it would Ire. a very suitable, centre for the Bureau. No doubt tho Tourist Department would assist in equipping such a place with a. supply of photographs of district scenes, and a. supply of reading matter and guide books. If this matter were taken up ill the right spirit, which it could be incorporated the advertising campaign for AVcstlnml, mentioned in an earlier issue this week. Some central organisation should take the responsibility in this matter, and that fixed valuable work could he done to advance the interests of tliCj place. There is a very buoyant feeling abroad as to the immediate prospects of the district, and if the organisation wire hut taken up, tho public support we feel sure would lie liberal. It is a ease of helping our-

selves -uni as the profit will come to the district- directly, the willingness to help should really ho spontaneous. It would he a very suitable time just now to promote such an. undertaking. W’e are on the eve of summer season when people move about freely, and the local tourist bureau would thus come into use at a very opportune time. The need is here, and it is for the people in great numbers.