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Hokitika Guardian, 8 May 1922, Page 2

.Representatives of the Tourist Department are now in the district collecting matter for a new publication which is being brought out to advertise New Zealand scenery. After all the praise which has been bestowed on Westland’s scenic glories, no publication affecting Dominion scenery could be complete without liberal attention to this district It is pleasing to note that the Department recognises the fact, for compared with other parts of the Dominion where the Tourist Department operates Westland receives less assistance than anywhere. Perhaps it is that our beau- ; ties have been manufactured by nature herself. No artificial assistance is necessary as elsewhere to attempt to adorn the lily or paint the rose. But all

the some, the district requires practi- * cal attention on the part of the authorities if it is to participate in the ' stream of tourist traffic continually passTng up and down New Zealand. No doiibt "hen the Midland railway is pun-

nin'g'ln the very near future now, the West Coast will be discovered by many who hitherto have considered the district too remote, or too difficult, or costly of access. When that influx of visitors arrives the district will largely advertise itself, forgone and all making ~ visit to the Coast invariably find much to delight and entertain them. However, the present move on the part of the Tourist Deparment is to be appreciated as au aid to that publicity so much desired to assist in forging the district ahead. ‘Westlahd has hever derived the advantages it should from Scenic assets it possesses, but the time i? not far distant now wnen the Coast will come into its own, and we will all be wondering wily the matter of the tourist resorts was so long neglected by all concerned.

Land settlement is an important matter for Westland to take up. That there is something of an earth hunger is indicated by the question'put by the settlers at Okuru to the Minister of Public Works on the occasion of his ,ate visit south. The reply from the Minister of Lands on the question, published in this issue, assists to draw pointed attention to the matter of land settlement. The district seems to have been made the sport of circumstances in regard to land settlement. For years an embargo was placed on Westland lands by reason of the terms of ,he Midland Railway Contract. This special reservation Was a great handicap aiid hardship to the district. Now there is the octopus like occupation of all available lands ill Westland for forestry purposes. No matter where situated the land is being earmarked lor forestry, and if only provisionally is being locked up against ready means lor settlement. This is going to become as great a menace as was the ordeal the district went through till the Midland Railway reservation was lifted. Apparently at Okuru there are lands suitable for the introduction of the homestead system—the system under which Koiterangi was successfully settled—but the area is provisional State Forest! Also there is the complaint of the Minister he has not the means to open up the land. If the progress of this district is to he assured by settlement and more settlement Ministers prate about, the people will have to fight for practical attention on the part of the Government or with the depredation* of the Forestry Department and the rage for Scenic Reserves, Westland will become oiie vast national park and the people will have to migrate if ey wish land for settlement. Such a development would be a cruel wrong to a district with such potentialities and the sooner loud complaint is made the lietter.