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Hokitika Guardian, 7 December 1922, Page 2

The provisional finance committee going into matters affecting thp launching of tho Westland Diamond Jubilee Exhibition is proceeding very thoroughly into the preparation for the great, event. At meetings held this week, Mr Jeffries presented a valuable report on points gleaned during a recent visit to Christchurch in regard to the conduct of tlfe Exhibition, while Mr Butler verbally supplied a very interesting statement oil information gleaned from, other sources. The committee is being thus very well informed, and it would appear will lie able to launch the project under very favorable auspices indeed. Tt is quite likely that the Department of Industries will be able to lend very practical help, and an officer of that Department contemplates visiting here next month to look personally into the proposition. As finance governs the initiation of the undertaking, nnd tlffit ill t” n \ 'Til! h n "unaed largely

by tbe building requirements, tbo site and estimated cost of the necessary additional structures is being determined ill the first distance. To this end ground plans of the alternative sites are now being prepared and are being submitted to an experienced architect in Christchurch, who is to plot out two schemes, ajid supply data as to space available and cost of erecting buildings or otherwise adapting existing buildings. It has been gleaned that the building requirements for the exhibition now in progress at Christchurch were carried out for a comparativey small amount, and with timber cheaper here, the cost should be proportionately less. This matter of situation, and the building costs arc the first matter for chief determination, and as soon as the details are arranged it is intended to call the general committees together, and proceed at once with tire completed scheme as agreed to. This is very satisfactory and indicates that ill tile new year the biggest event in tiro history of the province will lie finally launched.

It was rather disquieting to learn from the proceeding!! of tbe Chamber of Coni mono meeting this week that anv undue delay is likely to occur in

regard to tire filial completion of tbe works incidental to tile operation of the Arthur's Pass tuniicl of the East and West Coast railway line. It is said that the casting of some machinery affecting the electrical appliances is the calike of tlm delay. The Chamber is mbvillg at once, in the matter; and it is hoped with the pressure brought to bear from Canterbury and other quarters, that the reported delay will be avoided to the fullest extent. The Piime Minister passed through the tunnel last week and had the opportunity of personally judging tbe position. It must have struck Mr Massey that the giant work in the interests of all concerned cannot be opened ft I* practical use too soon. Apart from the daily charge for interest on the cost of construction, there is the great benefit the tunnel will he for commercial and industrial purposes. The traders on both sides of tile ranges are holding off their orders for timber or produce, ns the case may be, in the expectation Hint the tunnel is going to give cheaper freights and less costly supplies—and no doubt it will. The restriction with the lack of orders, is thus having an adverse effect on industry. There is, too, the present great inconvenience to trade and intercourse by reason of the shipping difficulty. The'sooner the Coast is independent of sen traffic as a means to reach markets for produce and supplies tbe better, as the present experience is to tbe detriment of tbe district. Tt was hoped that the line would be operating for goods traffic at least early in the new year, and passenger traffic by Easter. To learn that this projected programme is in jeopardy is to further damp the enthusiasm of a community which has waited very patiently for Die realisation of the Dominion’s greatest undertaking. It is for the responsible authorities to see that justice is done not only to the people of the Coast, hut to Now Zealand as a whole by having the line in permanent operation at the earliest possible moment.

Nkw Zealand is going n 1 wj u t the settlement of its political fate to-day, and by to-night will have decided at the ballot box where it stands politically for the coining Parliamentary term. The contest has been generally keen throughout the Dominion. Deports from elsewhere indicate that Deform is facing a severe trial, which is not surprising after the failure to fulfill past pledges. In the South Island it would appear the Liberals will make good advances. Two Deform Ministers and the Chairman of Committees arc said to be in danger of losing their scuts .while Labor has not a very roseate outlook. In the North island the position is more obscure. Taranaki is said to he voting Liberal, and Labour is expected to make some gains. A Minister or two and some Deform candidates arc being mentioned freely as likely to he rejected. Estimates of the party strength in the new House seem to indicate that Deform will take it all its time to have a majority over the other two parties. Mr Wilford has had a very successful tour in both Islands, while Mr Massey's mission was not marked hv any great enthusiasm. It would appear, then, that the Liberals will In; the party making the most distinctive gains, and the result will he a much strengthened Opposition at least. The general election, will have cleared the air as to the relative leanings of the parties, and it may he inferred that the Liberal-Labor party will he fully encouraged to organise very definitely for the future. Lack ot Dominion organisation on the part of the Liberals alone accounts for any uncertainty about the national verdict tomorrow. If it- is favourable under the circumstances it will be a gn at victory indeed and will indicate how the mighty have fallen politically. But all "conjectures will soon he settled by the figures and facts oi the polling. ——■W—— —»