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Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1923, Page 2

The reports of the regular meetings of the Hokitika Harbor Board seem to indicate that the members of the Board have given up all hope of improving shipping facilities at Hokitika. One of the present drawbacks is the shallowness of the berthage accommodation at low water, caused by tho diversion of tile main body of water to the mid-elmnne 1. The natural ilow of the river should he by way of the north bank, and according to a report published in connection with the late meeting of the Board, the conditions for river diversion at Kirkstall, I aek to the north channel are now favourable. The Board, however, was content to receive the report and take no action. This is rather to lie regretted. Any reasonable action which tan bo- taken to secure the position of the river at tho berthage, is worth doing if the wharf is not abandoned altogether. To permit tho silting up to go on without a ebook, is to allow the possibilities lor future shipping to disappear altogether. If the Board hr s a negative policy of that kind in mind it would ho better to make the position ] lain at once, so that the public will know where they stand, and if necessary could have the matter reviewed in a more politic manner.

A word of praise is due to Clements’ Motors Ltd. for the enterprise of the firm in pushing through with mails and passengers in the endeavour to keep up the direct connection East and West, as a result of the railway dislocation following the late catastrophic flood damage on the eastern side of the ranges. For private enterprise, the firm lias done wonderfully well, stepping in to do what, was required when tae- local and public authorities concerned were very slow to move. Judging by the newspaper reports of llio road conditions on the Canterbury side, Clements Ltd. did remarkably well to link up the traffic as quickly as was done. The firm outstripped the Government action, which recognising tho position was bad, seemed to regard tho state of the road as hopeless, and responsible officials began to advise tho public to travel by boat via Wellington and Nelson. Actually there was only one day lost in the through service, and once tlie connection was established it was improved upon rapidly. The experience on this occasion emphasises that the lloki t-ika-Clirist-ehurcli road will need to bo kept open as a necessary alternative means of communication in any ease, apart from the fact that the growing volume of motor traffic is going to render the maintenance of the road a necessity.

Tun New Zealand Aleut Producers’ Board supplies the following:-—The movement initiated by the New Zealand Producers’ Board to induce a greater consumption of beef in -Now Zealand in order to assist the industry at the time of its crisis by no means uncommon to other countries. In America, particularly when any industry of national importance suffers a slump, action is taken in this direction, and the assistance of the people is sought. Necessarily, there are sceptics and those who have no national spirit, and who profess to see in the movement sonic fancied benefit tor the farmers only, but it requires very little vision to understand that tho country itself must undoubtedly benefit. The chief points at issue are that by the consumption of at least 50,000 additional carcases of beef per year within New Zealand, beef-raising will not remain an unprofitable industry; also that an equivalent of mutton will be released for export at a time when there is a- good market for this valuable oommod'ity abroad. Further, that there is no hardship whatever inflicted upon any person in the request that beef should be substituted for other animal foods, lxicau.se it is tho cheapest and most- nutritious of meats, and can be adapted moro readily and used more extensively for meal purposes.