The Guardian MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5th, 1923. FRIENDLY CRITICISM.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1923, Page 2

The Guardian MONDAY, FEBRUARY sth, 1923. FRIENDLY CRITICISM.

Thf, special commissioner of the Christchurch Press who has been writing a series of articles on ihc "W cst Coast and its dairying possibilities, has been a veiy friendly critic. The latest article which dealt with the KokataliiSoutil Westland territory, was altogether in a favorable strain, and the attention drawn to dairying possibilities must be a very good advertisement for the district. A very interesting phase of the article is in respect to the area of good country available h ro for pastoral pursuits. ' T he average visitor who comes this way believes that there Is very little suitable land here

for settlement. Bush, hill and torrent seem to so crowd the outlook, that the flat lands are lost to view. Yet, an analysis such as the article we refer to gives, disabuses the mind of the reader on the point in question. Having arrived at a conclusion as to the area of land available for closer settlement, and comparing the stock returns of the district, it is at once recognised that the land is seriously understocked. This condition of affairs has been lowed upon the settlers in a great measure because of the isolation of the district, and the limited market for a stock trade. The isolation is about

to lie removed, and with that pleasing ' change will come the linking up of the district practically with the markets of the world, for Westland will be within rail connection* not only ol the stock sale markets of Canterbury, but also of the freezing works of Canterbury which trade with the oversea markets. The time is at band, therefore, for a great advance in our land settlement, first, for closer settlement second, for more intensive cultivation, and third, for increased herds. Even in the more settled districts there is linn’ll waste land because of the large areas held. The occupier is not in the position to use it to advantage, but with an improved and stable market there will be the incentive to do so. Tf that spirit becomes as general as it should, more land will be cleared and made reproductive in fodder, whether for dairying or fattening stock, and with the increased feed supply flocks and herds will soon grow. The district lias a. reputation for its fodder production. The climate defies droughts, and all the year round there is a. measure of grass growth which will encourage pastoral pursuits more and more. The market possibilities are probably mainly considered at present in regard to dairy products, such as butter and cheese, and stock raising products confined to beef, mutton and lamb. But when in direct touch with Canterbury with its large population and indns trial undertakings, fresh openings in regard to profitable marketing will reveal themselves, and to the people on Hu’ land there will he many new enterprises presenting themselves. A bacon factory lias often been spoken of on the Coast. The railway will place the district in touch with various bacon factories and a trade in pigs will grow v hicli will be worth many thousands of pounds annually to the Coast. There will be an opening, too, in regard to poultry farming when (lie district is in closer touch with a firm market such as Christchurch will offer. All sorts of farm products will mice on mi enhanced value, and the possible trade will tend to increase local land values. A new era is thus dawning for the Coast, and there is no part of the Coast better equipped than Westland to reap the advantage of the better times immediately approaching. The land is here, and the settlers a 1 ready established will no doubt be busy now preparing for the good opening which is to come their wav. Al,ready Westland (stock lias made a name for itself in the Addington market, and with facilities for ready transport the demand for all that Westland can produce in the way of prime stock will be a growing, rather than a diminishing quantity.