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Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1923, Page 2

Tt will not be good news to southern settlers to learn that tlic negotiations with regard to the transport of the settlers’ goods over the tramway of Stuart and Chapman Ltd., between Waitnlia and Ross, have broken down. Tlic firm in the first instance carried out the arrangements with the local body acting for the south settlors. The County Council was satisfied with the conditions designed, realising in point I of fact that the firm was making an I important concession, and rather goI ing out of its wav to supply the needed transport facilities, which actually I would be of great convenience to tlic southern settlers. When the conditions wtoro submitted to lire Government department concerned, they were replaced by alternative conditions which arc considered of such a drastic character as to compel the sawmilling firm to drop the project. There is one phase of the matter that is of interest Tlic proposal was to transport *jods only, yet ill lcoal body negotiations, as well also as in the negotiations of the firm, the Government departments will persist in reading into the application a permission to carry passengers. Tt is not clear why the departments should lie so dense in this matter as they appear to he, but there the fact is and the departments will persist in seeking to frame regulations to cover passenger traffic, which is not at all intended. In the interests of tlie settlers the matter should not be allowed to remain in abeyance. Facilities for transport of stock, goods and produce by tile tramway from and to the railhead at Ross, will be a great boon to south trade, and incidentally a relief to the Government main road. The local body will be expected to probe the matter further and relieve the firm of sawmiUers, which purely in the public interests is going a good deal out of its way to provide means for transport. As a matter of fact, when the railway branch of flic Government service rose difficulties about granting the use of its rolling stock, the firm went v> the expense of acquiring trucks which would be serviceable till the Government realised what "-as recoined in the mihlL> intev. cst.s. The obstructive tactics of the Government departments are being cm. tinned and the firm lias pov dropped

the matter. But the local body will bo expected to take it up again, and endeavour to clarify the situation so that the settlers will bo able to haco too beneiit of the ready means of transit so greatly desired.

The regulations governing traffic on t)ie main south road proposed by the Government authorities "ill have a hampering effect on southern development. The subject, has been dealt- "ith previously in these columns, and there is no occasion to change the vie"point. On file contrary, with the amount ol publicity directed to the- resources ol South Westland and the early possibilities of its future advancing by leaps and bounds, the need for a first-class road carrying the produce or the district in the cheapest arid quickest time is a very pressing requirement. Instead of restriction.-, there should he the determination to increase the facilities for the growing traffic and so encourage and not hamper development Reference has just been made to the cool imli If ere i ico of the Government departments with regard to encouraging traffic by the tramway section from Ross to Wait all a, a section, where but for the hostility of the Reform Government in 1911, a railway would now |he running. On top of fliis there are the restrictions which will hamper heavy motor traffic over the south road. A district such as South Westland will be possible for quick development only by good roads. The railway will be decades in pushing its way to Waiho Gorge, but to that point there is already a road w ith a useful chain of bridges, but it is highly essential to improve the carrying capacity of the roadway. If the south is to mere ahead with the improving times, a good, sound road is a most essential requirement, and upon this all important need all effort should now centre. At the outset there must be a demand for the removal of hampering conditions which will not give the settlers cheap and quick transport. Tf dairy produce and small stock are to he brought forward profitably, and in tjie bqst condition to compete in the open markets, motor traffic is essential, and tlie roads require to be brought up to the requisite standard. Otherwise the district generally will he penalised. It is penalised already through being denied its rail connection and now the Govcrmii'uit authorities are going furtheV with the penally for increased cost in freights which must go up, if lorries are not permitted to ply with profitable freedom. The prospects of the district warrant the fullest sympathy from the Government if it is genuine in its professions to help the backblocks. There is an onus on the people themselves to bestir and move actively in an agitation for better roads to ensure the transport facilities in keeping with the prospects of the district