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Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1922, Page 2

The work being carried out by the Beautifying Association should commend itself to the general public, in whose interest really the work is being undertaken. Civic pride is a good thing to cultivate, and will make its impress on the citizens generally. What is desirable in most places is a lead and in respect to improvements about the town and the smartening up of the appearance of the place the Beautifying Association is giving the lend. The example given will have its reflex in the individual work of the citizens and in say twelve months’ time it will be possible to see material evidence of the good wirk in hand. Naturally in small centres it is not likely that the civic council will be. able to attend to all the amenities necessary to promote tho well-being of the town. In any case a measure of responsibility is thrown on the citizens themselves to share in the good work necessary to uplift the town. 111 some of the most advanced cities of tho United States the citizen spirit displayed lias been most remarkable and the enthusiasm engendered thereby has lifted the towns ahead in a wonderful way. An infection here in the same direction would do great good, and it would appear that the right attitude is being developed. Very fair support is being tendered the Beautifying Association. Practical >.elp is the best way to encourage activity among the enthusiasts, for if the feeling is abroad that the people appreciate what is being done, there need be no limits to the scope of the activities. At all events a very good beginning has been made, and the year’s results should justify the new burn zeal and encourage it to go on in the self-imposed task of improving the general appearance of tile town.

In dealing with an aspect of the meat pool, a Christchurch paper goes on to remark that the true friends of the 'bona fide farmers, the working farmers of the yeoman type, the real backbone of the country, are and always have- been the Liberals, under whose wide legislation and administration farmers were increased by many thousands and their industries moved from comparative insignfieance to a state of great prosperity. The Liberals assisted the farmers by attacking land monopoly, by freeing land to settlement, by establishing the State Advances Department whioh drastically reduced the price of money In these great enterprises the Liberals were opposed by the Masseyites, and it may he siaid without hesitation that the farmers owe the prosperity which attended them until the blight of Reform fell on the country to the fact that the Libernlsi fought the Conservatives, now called Reformers, at every stage of the proceedings That those who are best qualified to judge repudiate the idea that the Reformers are the special “friends of the farmers” finds striking proof in the decision of the executive of the Auckland Farmers Union to put up candidates at the coming general election. This has much upset a contemporary which lias suddeniy discovered the wrongness and the dangers of vote-splitting. A journal supporting the party that now rules New Zealand solely because of vote-splitting among the Oppositionists, and hitherto applauding vote-splitting, becomes converted at the first breath of danger to its own side.