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Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1922, Page 2

An important and definite stage with regard to the proposed exhibition to be held at Hokitika in the holiday season at the end of 1923 and covering the new year of 1924, to mark the diamond jubilee of the province of I Westland has been reached liy the proI pcsal to hold a public meeting on j Monday night next at the Town Hall, to focits matters. The decision to proceed along comprehensive lines will be approved because there is going to be substantial backing Irom Canterbury. and in the end, no doubt, also from other parts of the Dominion. A proposal is afoot to appoint the present Director of the Christchurch Exhibition opening immediately, to the charge of the Westland 'Exhibition, and if this be done, there is sure to lie a I large number of exhibits collected from all parts of New Zealand. Holding the event in the holiday season, would in any case, secure a very large attendance, but as at exhibition time the Midland railway will be in definite operation, it will be difficult in point of fact to estimate the dimensions of tile attendance. It will be certainly very large indeed. In connection with the meeting on Monday night, the names of a number of ladies and gentlemen are suggested to constitute the various committees to lie set up. No doubt here will be room to add to the number as may seen 1 most desirable. It remains only for the local people to throw their interest into the project to assure a very greit success being recorded. Westland lias risen always on occasion when much is expected from the people, and in , the notable instance now looming ahead there are special reasons, looking to the future of the district as a whole, why everything should bo well done.

The thought for the times to-day contains the viewpoint of the Auckland farmers’ union journal on the Reform Party. It is well to have such an expression of opinion from so intimate and independent a source as governing the wants of the farmers. The comment gives point to the view often expressed, that it is to vested interests in the land, and not to the hard-working farmer for which Reform gives the greatest consideration. What the farmers’ journal says is what the Liberal Party lias been saying of tlie Massey Governmeat for years and it is satisfactory to find endorsement from the quarter mentioned. The fanners are having their eyes opened, and it is this fact as much as anything which is going to tell against the Government throughout the country at the coming poll. There is no doubt where the Liberals stand on tbe land question and the desire to help the small fanner. The record of (lie party fuim 1891 onward points, to that. So the Liberals can be trusted on tbeir return to power to take u]i the good -Work where it was broken off by the advent i f the so-call-

ed Reform party. When it is considered how Reform members blocked at every stage all the basic measures for the assistance of the farmer—providing land, cutting up estates, cheap money and so on—it is perhaps not surprising that the Government has not its heart in the genuine task of helping the small farmer. But the Liberals have performances behind them which stamp them as the genuine friend of the farmer.