The Guardian WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1923 HONOR TO WHOM DUE.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 February 1923, Page 2

The Guardian WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1923 HONOR TO WHOM DUE.

An*nKriATivK reference lias been made to tile “Christchurch I’ress” for its recent informative articles on the West Coast, the broadcasting of which must do this district in particular great good seeing that the major reference has been to Westland County. Unfortunately in making its final comment on the subject of the article*.;, and when dealing with “the link with Westland." as the Midland railway is described. the paper introduces the political element and proceeds to give the Reform Government all the kudos for pushing through the line, and belittling the part played by the Liberal Government. While it is admitted a certain amount of credit is due to the party in power (and there is no desire on oiti part to withhold that credit) the greatest praise should lie given to those who initiated the work, and in spite of tremendous opposition carried the work to a point where tile present. Government could not drop it, it they would. As to the tremendous opposition which had to he faced it is not without interest, now that the point has been raised by the “Press", to note that one of its own publications when it had an evening paper was the most uncompromising. 'Hie paper tlion known a-, Christchurch "Truth" at the time when Westland was endeavouring to revive the agitation for the completion of the tunnel—about 1911 went the length of saving that the line would not pay for the cost of the rag to wipe the engine down! And that view was held by many in Canterbury. when, about Hie same time Westland began to enlist or seek for support from the East Coast in the effort to have the line finished. The deputation which the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce kindly sent across to help Westland with the fight was not adequately supported by Christchurch business men who probably drew their knowledge of the line from “Truth’s" comment. Yet to Messrs Roper, Quane. and O’TTallorahan. who formed the deputation to the Coast Irom the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce at the time, is due the greatest of credit, for it was their influential talks which led up to the agitation for the completion taking definite shape, and the 1900 deputation to Premier Neddon at Wellington proving the success it was. Tn the face of much influential opposition, Mr Soddon went ahead and the Liberals who carried on after his demise, were no less in earnest. The "Press” docs not give any credit to the Liberal-, for their action in accepting a tender in 1907 for the full work: nor any credit later for taking Hie work up spiritedly as a national concern, when the contractors failed. That action was another deciding factor, for it was well-known as was stated to the Canterbury— Westland deputation by Sir .Joseph Ward (then Premier) at Chri-t----church at the time, that there was a strong undercurrent of opposition to the work from tile north, and that these districts specially interested in the great project should not flag in their efforts to see it pushed to completion. Also, it should be borne in mind, that the Reform Government dallied unduly over accepting a tender for the electrification of the tunnel, and if the wishes of the people in regard to t lie matter had been more respected, the line would be operating now. Further it should be remembered that when Sir William Fraser fired the last shot in 1918, his prediction that the line would be operating in two years’ time remains unfulfilled, and at the best the promise will be nearly five years old (and five years of peace, too) before it is fulfilled. And. so in considering this matter it will be seen that tlie Liberals played a great part the initial part, launching out on the ‘ project, and while opportunity served, pushing it on to realisation. Incidentally, too. might be considered the Liberals' action in regard to the original Midland railway contract and all that meant to the Dominion. If the political issue is to lie considered j the Liberals certainlv remain in the I forefront, for it was by them that the j foundation was so well and truly laid | and the super-structure designed. I