The Hokitika Guardian THURSDAY, JUNE 8th 1922. PROSPERITY LOOMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 June 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian THURSDAY, JUNE Bth 1922. PROSPERITY LOOMS.

Tiie reports given out of the late deputation to Christchurch to interview the Prime Minister in regard to district matters, indicate a measure of general success which is to be appreciated. There is above all the outstanding fact that the value oi the Otira tunnel traffic is not only genuinely assured, but is 1 icing recognised as a pregnant fact of the general prospect. It would appear as though the good ship Prosperity were already showing up above the horizon, and that by general preparation for the arrival of the ship with its valuable cargo in which all will have an opportunity to share, the district should, as it were, row out to meet the incoming harbinger of good things. The value of the new alliance between the two Provinces— Canterbury and Westland—is going to be a BURtained one. There are over 180,000 people in the former province, .

and over 15,000 in the latter. The close entente between these two peoples is going to he n very intimate one in all possible relations. So far an the Coast is concerned, the tunnel cannot •be operated too soon. Likewise from a railway point of view there is the greatest urgency for the through traffic. ,\ ready made trade awaits transit. There will he a congestion of goods traffic from the outset. In respect to coal alone there is sure to be a large trade, for it is being freely whispered abroad that large home liners will coal at Lyttelton. The produce trade to the Constwill he very considerable via the tunnel. Grain of all kinds and produce generally produced west of Rolleston will finU an outlet on the Coast, and consumers will reap the advantage of cheaper freights, and quicker and more regular delivery. This trade would be available the moment the line is ready for it. and consequently the Government cannot delay unduly in reaping the advantage to be derived from that source. The timber trade through the tunnel will ho governed only by the railway competition with sea borne freight. For tile northern part of Canterbury there should he an established market for timber all the year round. In South Canterbury and Otago the position will ho governed by railway rates which will he no doubt computed to compete with sea traders. In coal, timber and grain traffic there will he three bulky commodities which will keep the tunnel busy passing the goods through. The revenue on this account alone promises to he large. In regard to passengers and general merchandise tbe position will be no less satisfactory. For passenger traffic the line will draw from all parts of New Zealand and abroad. As part ol the iitilway system the new line will afford at. mice a fresh outlet into parts distinctly novel to the rest of tli« Dominion. The passenger trade will be very great and will he surprising in fact. General merchandise is sure to be substantial in volume. Another useful adjunct to the revenue side will he the stock traffic. This will apply not only to the stock marketed fl'oni this side, hut also to store stock sent from Canterbury to fatten here in the drought seasons on the East Coast. At times the railage of stock will be very large. Altogether, the railway will assist in bringing all round prosperity and the district must needs wake up to the opportunity which will offer with the linking of the two provinces in such close and intimate relation ship.