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Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1922, Page 2

What Mi Wilford had to tell a North Island audience about the objective of Reform and Labour to get rid of the Liberal party, seems to apply ill particular to the present Westland contest. It is many a day since there were such designs for vote-splitting as is now in prospect. Westland lias never been a strong-hold for Reform—it lias been Liberal always. That accounts for the fact that single-handed, Reform could not gain a victory in Westland. Then Labor bad its trial—and failed, too. So the two forces now combine, in the effect to oust the Liberal candidate. Why? In Air Seddon there is certainly a strong man, but lie is a loyal and progressive citizen. Tn war time lie went off and did his duty for his country with honor. He lias not been a malcontent, nor lias his goings and comings been anything to the discredit of his constituents. In point of fact he has been a patriot, when patriots were needed ; he has been a straight forward representative always. Why then is Reform desiring to tilt the balance so that a Labor representative might he elected for Westland? This is one of those heart searching questions the electors will be asking themselves on polling day. Comparisons no doubt are odious, hut of the four candidates offering for AYestland .Mr Seddon undoubtedly has claims by bis service, his demeanour and his whole life, to place him in the forefront when it is a matter of personal choice. He adheres to a party which under his illustrious father and later, did great things for New Zealand. He would not bo expected to sever such memorable associations. So in supporting Mr Seddon the constituency will have a representative of experience and value which far excels the choice otherwise offering.

One of the candidates in the present' | Westland campaign, who by the way appears to be distinguished for the i reckless assertions he indulged in, has | said from the platform that Westland I for the past ten or fifteen years has been “shamefully neglected”! The same speaker has extolled the Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works, I so that the assertions of the latter on any departmental matter will ho readily accepted no doubt by the critic, | who, living in the district, is not aware evidently of what is going on. Mr Coates has said and he has quoted official figures to prove it that the Westland electorate enjoys the largest public works expenditure ]>er head of population of any other constituency in the 'Dominion. This statement has found its wav into the Auckland papers also, and looking hack, and not conveniently forgetting, as some folk are prone to do t when it suits them, it is easy to realise the truth of Mr Coates’ statement. “Shamefully neglected for the past fifteen years”! Why. it is but some fourteen years since the Arthur’s Pass tunnel was put under way, and in that work alone—the greatest the Dominion has undertaken—-nnd which is to be the salvation of Westland—it can hardly ho said Westland is neglected. This work was begun courageously under the Liberal Government and once the country was committed

to the task the Liberal Member for Westland in season and out of season, has been able to agitate for the completion of the work, and within his term of office lias seen it come to fruition. The Liberals had to face great opposition in plumping for the completion of the Midland railway. Even a Christchurch paper remarked only a few years ago that the line when completed would not pay for the rag to wipe the smuts olf the engine? That was public opinion in Christchurch when the Liberals began the big job. The present Member for Westland during

his term of office has officially opened the Wataroa and Rig Wanganui river bridges. He has seen several other bridges completed along the main south route, ensuring quick and through traffic. Me has seen large railway works carried out at various points along the Grcymouth-Otira route. He has promises for urgent attention to the railway stations at Greymoutli and Hokitika.. He lias secured votes for

many arterial roads of great value. He has been instrumental in regard to important legislation directly affecting Westland industries—mining and sawmilling; secured important action by the Agricultural Department in regard to stock and farming matters, and in a hundred and one ways whether with the Government or in Opposition, has been able to do yeoman service for Westland, so that to-day no finger enn lie pointed at him claiming serious neglect of duty. Incidentally, of course, M r Seddon went off to the war, and to some that was an offence, but who among the people would have had the Member for Westland do otherwise?

Ttik proposal to move actively in regard to the drainage of a considerable area of swamp land nt Kokatnh! is a. step in the right direction. The question is one which has cropped up from time to time, end if, is very gratify*

ing that at last matters are so focussed as to ensure a definite movement towards rendering available for pastoral purposes a very considerable area of j country, practically in the heart of tile settlement which has not been of , value to the holders because of the 1 wet and swampy nature of the land. | The matter of the utilisation of such j lands lias been before the people for j

some time, but it lias required a eon- , sidoroble interval of spaqp to carry . matters to a head. As the position I now stands, the Government, through the Drainage Branch of the Public AVorks Department lias had a survey out, and a plan or scheme of drainage prepared, which for an expenditure averaging about £3 per acre for the area to be treated will give the land holders much enhanced value as regards the holdings affected for the reason that when the scheme is put through grazing will be possible and the herds of the locality may be increased. A year or so ago the County Council assisted in on experimental venture by subsidising a proposal to dear and ojien up one of the natural creeks in the locality blocked by debris and overgrowth. The results

from this preliminary trial.have no doubt encouraged the settlers as a whole to look forward hopefully to the advantage to he gained from a comprehensive scheme. The important aspect of the Kokatahi scheme in regard to which on understanding lias been reached for an active effort at

drainage fs that throughout "Westland there are many areas of land of equally promising prospect which (by a system of defined drainage, could he brought into profit. There are excellent areas in other parts of both Kokntnlii and Koiterangi, while in South Westland there are some even nun* extensive expanses of swamp land lying fallow, yet capable of pastoral use, if a main system of drainage were instituted. The steps about to be taken at Kokatahi should be very useful as a basis for wider action in other parts of AA estland. The swamp lands on the whole, are very highly spoken of. They contain first class loamy soil winch readily produce fodder under cultivation, and the district will soon require more than ever the matter of gioatei production to be carried on as extensively n s the land resources of the district will permit.