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Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1922, Page 2

it was mentioned at the Chamber of Commerce meeting last night that, the next meeting of the local bodies in conference falls to he held here on the last AVednesday in the current month. It was stated also that nothing verymuch had come ot pass from the initial conference in January last but "that was no reason why the next meeting should not be held Indeed it is all the more reason why the subjects then discussed still in abeyance should be taken up again and an endeavour made to make some headway. The idea of a friendly round the tablo talk among members of the local bodies has much to commend itself. The exchange of ideas should be a useful form of education In regard to local needs and the most suitable way of meeting them. In regards to district progress m-.ir't

depends on the initiative of the local bodies which are the ultimate factors to achieve results. The various bodies which are co-operating in an unselfish way to help the local bodies have their 'limitations because of the laek of legislative authority. A conference between such bodies and the representatives of the local authorities must achieve some practical results in the end. The next conference falls on the last day of the current month and the date should be in kept in mind and a point made by those in public and semi-public affairs to attend the meeting and endetivoui to aid the good work intended solely to advance local interests and secure that measure of prosperity which should ic. suit from well- directed effort and earnest endeavour.

There is not any desire to judge the Forestry Department unfairly but the action as disclosed last week at the Ivoss Warden’s Court is seeking to impose an injury on a large milling proposition seems to require some explanation as to the bona fides of the management of the Department. The elite!prise at Doss promises to he one of the largest milling ventures in Westland. Tho.c has been a very large expenditure of capital and there has to be in the future a very great outlay before the venture is fully equipped. Despite the af-ter-war conditions the work of preparation lias gone on very expeditiousiy. The company has erected a substantial railway line where the Government would not venture on the undertaking. Private enterprise stepped in only when the State failed to carry out its obligations. 1 A very extensive milling plant is being installed at Ross and the whole outward evidence discloses a great undertaking which will ensure productive employment for many years to come. The public benefit from the venture is at once manifest, while the genuineness of the Company’s operations leave no doubt ns to the ultimate intention to organise an industrial undertaking which v-'ll be of solid importance to the district. The State Forests Department at this juncture seeks to block the enterprise by denying the Company legal protection over certain areas while the line is extended and facilities afforded to erect a mill. Assuming the Department had legal rights—which, fortunately, it had not—to oppose the application for protection it would have been a cruel course under the circumstances to take. Surely the Government of the day which is calling for production, more production, and still more production, is not aware of the policy of the Department it is coddling with extravagant expenditure, tf it is and permits this attempt to drive capital out. of the country unropfoved, the sooner it is ousted from office the better.