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Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1923, Page 2

Tnf. railway tarilf matter brought up at this week’s meeting of the Progress League is now being considered by other Indies rn the Coast. It is being reali-ed that tlw issue is of t'u greatest import to the fortunes ol the t oast. JCt on with the niodili; ation indicated yesterday that the three phase tar ill is to obtain only while the Public Works Department controls the tunnel section, a very serious impost will he imposed. Tire duration c I the Public Worns control is delightfully uncertain. Tile Kngiiv. er-in-Chiel mentions ‘'three or four months," hut lrom all accounts the period is quite an indefinite time really. The works at the tunnel, according to all accounts, are nut proceeding’ with that vigor which should mark the period of completion. 4 here is tire suggestion in more than (.rn* quarter that a winter job is looked for and that there does net appear any gieat desire to make l.aste other than slowly. If this he so it is a deplorable stale of affairs, and indicates a serious lack of control in the effective direction of the works. However, that is another story for too moment. Tire immediate necessity is to concentrate on making the best possible arrangement with regard to freightage, he the term short or long, while [tort-ion ol the line is under the control of the Public Works Department-. All classes are affected more or less by the matter. and the public bodies should concentrate to the host offse t possible.

“Westward Ho" is K> be the slogan for the Kxhil.ition. It is a happy adaptation. There has been always the call of the West. “Westward the course of Empire takes its way," has been the definition by a Canadian writer of the grow th of the Empire. 4he Exhibition should add to the stature of the Curst very considerably resultant from the inflow* of people. Tiro task will he to retain a good percentage of tire influx. All will not he mere holidaymakers. Many will come to spy out the land, and for that reason there is < ccasion to display its resources, to advertise its wares, and to proclaim it< possibilities along with [eople. the Coast needs capital. IGmu Flat today is an example of what capital regulated by sound knowledge and judgment call do. Industries should he created and will flourish here at the source of so many founts of natural supplies. "Westward Ilo”, and tln-se in search of a new home, a lrosh field of activity, an opportunity tl> establish remunerative industry, will find scope for their activities. 4he Exhibition will !><• the outstanding event to attract- fur the purpose in mind. Itwill he the vehicle to convey the thought for the opening here for private enterprise legitimately applied. The occasion is one which should not he neglected. On the contrary, it should ho fostered and promoted to the fullest, available extent to achieve all that is possiolc in the new era which will l.e opened up.

The range of the Exhibition activities i.s being extended. On Wednesday night delegates from the Exhibition Council visited Greymonth for the purpose of enlisting active eo-cpvr.a.on from that quarter in regard to a movement which is of far-reaching importance to all parts of the Coast-. This visit is the first of others to all parts cf the district, as it is proposed to enlist the active .support- of every centre on the Coast in the Exhibition. At the meeting at Greymonth on ’Wednesday night surprise was expressed at the magnitude of the Exhibition proposal , and riFo at the advance made in the preliminary preparations. It is evident our friends in the north will co-operate actively and there is no reason why the townspeople cf Greymouth should not become closely identified with an event which is going to bo of such marked value to this seaboard in being the means to attract so ninny thousands of visitors to the Coast. Later, or rather sooner than later, it is proposed by the Exhibition Council to send a delegation as far as Marlborough, to enlist the active sympathies of all the centres en route. The various Mayors and County C-naiimen are being appointed Vice-Presidents ot the Exhibition Council, and will have a voice in the general management, as well ns presiding over the local advisory committees which will lc organising the district representation at the Exhibition. By this means the whole length of the Coast will ho brought

into close touch, with the internal working of tho Exhibition.