A SUCCESSFUL MISSION.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1922, Page 2

A SUCCESSFUL MISSION.

-RETURN FROM CHRISTCHURCH

Last evening tlie Hon H. L. Michel, M.L.C. Messrs L. M. Morel, A. A. An r drewes, <l* J* Mclntosh and Hr J, Evans of the Westland delegation to wait on the Rt Hon Mr Massey nt Christchurch returned from their mission oil the whole yell satisfied with the ’visit and its prospective results. Mr Wi Jeffries, County Chairman, is expected to return frfnn Welljrlgtoii tomorrow, iiilviiig gtine on to the Empire City to wait on the Minister of Public Works in regard to the Highways Bill, in respect to which the Westland County Council desires to see the main south‘road to Haasti Pass included in the schedule of main roads coming under the Bill. The members of the deputation expressed themselves as very well pleased with the visit to Christchurch, being satisfied that the journey will do a great deal of good. Their cordial reception on all sides evidenced the interest taken in Westland and the early prospect of the Coast being linked with Canterbury. The officials of the Canterburv Progress League were at pains to make, the visit rt pleasant out nig as Weil as rt useful business trip,. From the motnent of arrival at Christchurch railwav station, the right hand of good fellowship was extended to the Coasters and novel* withdrawn. Every courtesy and consideration was show and all the members of the delegation state tiiev could not. have had a banner or brighter time kad they the shapi „ of their own engagements.. The importance with which the Ot_i . tunnel question is regarded m Christchurch is verv marked. ,11 Cantu. Inirv seems to be waiting for the onening‘ of the tlirough line, and there is not doubt the Coast generally w,ill he invaded by thousands of people alien the liappv event comes to miss. Ihe government is fully alive to the importance of the occasion and will do its best to achieve the coil,summation of the ardent wishes at the earliest possible moment. The cciuessmn to secure transport of dairy produce through the tunnel this season will be a saving of thousands of pounds to the dairy farmers, who wiH be assured then, of their . produce reaching the tVradin" store in as good, quality as it leaves the factnr'v. The deputation was pleased also with Mr Massey’s outspoken optimism as to the trade waiting for the tunnel. He realised the traffic is ready made and wants the convenience of being taken through to destination oast and west. There is going to be a great saving in freights and charges ■til round, and the prediction, that the tunnel traffic .tvlll have to work right round the clock to cbpe w th the at, certain periods, is likctlv to he tulfilied from the outset. . - ■ •• Another matter on which Mr Mas e. was verv outspoken was in regard to a prospecting vote. A £I,OOO was asked for, and the Prime Minister considered it a modest request. From the tone of his remarks the deputation drew the inference that Mr Massey will ! induce the Minister of Mines to make ! short time scheduled for the . interview -a half an hour-Mr Massey 1 having other engagements ahead, quite . a rush of subjects was put before him. 1 The interview, however, extended to i three-quarters of an hour, the Premier’s reply being an extended one. It was a thoroughly cordial statement, showing a desire to.help where pos--1 sible and the deputation earned away , favourable antiepations as to the futuie > resrilts. ... , i The proposed exhibition to mark the I diamond jubilee of Westland was put , forward in Christchurch, and it is going I to receive marked support from that I quarter. Tt is not, unlikely that lie i services of a gentleman from Cluistohurcli will he available to manage the project if it is -finally launched, and if the' prospective arrangements coine to pass there is even- likelihood of tlie event being an unequalled success from overv point of view. A good deal of information has been collected for the Committee of Ways and Means, nhich i H to meet locally to go into the "hole question;, so that there is the promise that the early days of 1924 wdl he graced by a Uoral exhibition which will ihe patronised by thousands of East I Coast visitors during the weeks it will ! to enquiries made from I the visitors to Christchurch, the oik 1 over there will riot all he bent on pleasure where they cross westwards on presumably holiday jaunts. There was ! evidence of one or two large P ,o J ec £ being in mind, and developments in regard to these matters are likely to follow. If so, it will mean the introduction of considerable capital to M est land in particular, and cannot but help the district to prosper considerably. •There is the feeling abroad that the district is going to boom, and there isaio doubt there is considerable 'Merest taken in the welfare of Mesfand As indicating the volume of traffic likely to result with the opening of the through railway, one of the visitors to Christchurch has returned with the Pnpiession that the first year wiU witness the transport of tens of thousands of people hv rail to and from the Coast The first volume ot traffic can haiulj come to pass without creating considerable stir, and doing the whole country-side great good. It wife suggested to the visitors that the district should he advertised abroad in the Dominion as much as possible now prior to the opening of the raiiwav. A publicity campaign in regard to Westland would be quite worth while and Christchurch business men strongly recommend Const activities to that end. The recent visit itself has done a great deal of good, and has stimualted speck’d attention to Westland and its prospects. The good effect should not be allowed to fade away, hub should he followed up by other moans to keep the district and its potciitialitie.s in the forefront aruLregularl.v in the mind of people outside the Coast. _____