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Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1923, Page 2

An interesting point has been raised regarding the Dunedin Exhibition for 1925, which is not without interest here’ where, also an exhibition is on the stocks. Originally Dunedin was to hold a purely industrial exhibition in February next, but in January last decided to alter the scheme to an Imperial exhibition and hold the event in 1925. There is the desire now to hold an international exhibition, hut apparently if this decision is adhered to, tho lnduxttinl Associations is organised bodies will not lx- disposed .to assist. The point is that the desire i.- to keep as much trade as possible within the Empire at least, so as to sustain local populations, and not encourage trade with other countries where there icheaper labour and a lower standard of living, enabling competition as to trade prices. Sir Thomas Mackenzie has put in a plea for the. United States because of possible tourist traffic. But America does not show any tender feelings for Britain and her tubs when international debt or trade are affected. Besides Canada is the next door neighbor of the United States, and the disposition should be other to help Canada with Imperial trade than the States. Altogether, it would appear that the feeling to keep the trade within the Empire is the ideal worth aiming for even though the road to that end may not be of easy progress.

Thf. mild building boom in - evidence here i? another of those signs of the

times, which it- is cheerful to observe, signifying tho courage of die people and their satisfaction that the future of the to-\vn is not going to be of a transitory nature. Hokitika promises to come into its own, and appears to bo approaching that opohe in its history which Mr T. W. Benre, when a resident here, often spoke of. Linked by rail with the outside world, it must become one of the permanent tourist headquarters of the Dominion for the reason that it is the jumping off point to so many places of natural interest. Outsiders would not be showing the interest in the future of Westland they are, unless they had tangible evidence as to permanency. There is no doubt ihe land value of the territory in Westland is now being better lenlirod. The attention to the potentialities by agricultural and pastoral writers points to the fact that many prophetic utterances about Westland being, a second Taranaki are within easy reach of realisation. The railway is going to bring more people here, and those of the settlement class will be doubly welcome, for that is the class which will give assured population—the one thing needful for the lasting prosperity of the place. With our own people now rising to the obvious changes soon to take place, the immediate luturc of the town and district may be regarded with great satisfaction.

Till-: enthusiasm displayed I v the members of the Hokitika Beautifying Society in the discharge of their selfimposed task is worthy of cvirv commendation. The report presented at the annual meeting last night supplied a resume of the year’s work. Hie public have ocular demonstration of the practical results in the imp>’>.vd state of the grounds operated on. The workers in the pul lie interests deserve the thanks of the community. Hon. Mr Michel is an enthusiastic leader who pushes forward the requirements for immediate attention. I'lio work (if the Society is naturally limited by the funds available, ail of which are supplied spontaneously by the public. I hat is an indication of the citizen spirit o! Hokitika which is worth mentioning. 11l the main the work of tl’c Society lias lilted ( ass Square, for instance, out of its neglected condition to a stale

now very favourably comm.•‘tied upon. The Square is a good asset to the town and is worth the attention it receives. No doubt if supported ’is well in the future as in the post, the Society v. ill continue tho good work ir. hand, and tlu* citizens will have the satislacdion cf seeing further useful work carried out. Besides, the example in neatness and cleanliness must have its general effect on the ratepayers who will also take a pride in the appearance ol their residential streets, for these require improving greatly.