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Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1923, Page 2

The war cloud in the Near East is dispelling. It is evident that tho pressure from tno Allies brought the representatives of Greece and Turkey to n more workable frame of mind. It would appear that in the end both parties were much relieved to find that they would not be expected to make good their bellicose remarks earlier in tht negotiations. But it is not unlikely that with the opposition of .-the Allies if the two parties started a little war, they would very soon find themselves “in tho air” for the lack of material and help to carry on. To fight would bo fruitless, their last state would lx> worse than the first, and it was much more comfortable to agree to terms which might involve some cash sacrifice, if the act could be accomplished with reasonable dignity. A way was found to make this possible, and although both had to make concessions, they are alike the riehei for their saner action in preference to drawing the sword. Greece has had one severe lessen about rushing into war impetuously, and doubtless 1 urkey has learned a good deal from that episode also. So wo have the final outcome of the negotiations—peace at ft price which is honourable. It is the better way. and opens up at dure a channel for improved relations between the neighbours who will be beholden more or loss to each other.

The great strides made in the timber industry in the western district of Southland wore further demonstrated to a. “Southland News” representative on Monday by Urn secretary of the Sawmill Workers’ Union (Mr 'J'. O’Byrne), who has just returned from a visit to the various mills in the district. He stated that everywhere business was still very brisk, and that, among other mills, he had visited Mussel Beach, which necessitated an arduous journey. From Tuataporo ho went h.v motor-car for six miles, but owing to the state of the leach he was compelled to tnidge fourteen miles along the shingly track to Blueclifi’s landing, where he took the launch for Mussel Beach, a-fifty-five minutes’ run across Te Wae Mac Bay. Mussel Beach mill is one of the largest and best-equipped in New Zealand, and at present employs between seventy and eighty men. Work is in full swing in getting through some very rough country, principally rock, in connexion wich the laying down of a new tramway. The mill is working short-handed, owing to the shortage of hushmen, hut 18,000 ft r-p timber are lioinge turned out. cvoit day. l’ort Craig is now a model village comprising about 100 inhabitants, there being about twenty pupils at the school. Mr O’Byrne said that he had also visited the Maori Beach and Kaipipi mills at Stewart. Island. where work was also in full swing. I here wore nlwiit fifteen men employed at Maori Bench, the daily output being about 4000 ft.

Tin; local bodies conference this evening is to discuss the qiiesiion of electric power for the district, tor some time now the I’ower Board has been marking time waiting for a decision by the Electric Power Company in respect to the further enlargement- of its plant. It is understood a decision on the latter matter will be reached in about a fortnight's time, when tl’.c Company will determine the matter at its meeting in New York. Since the matter has been deferred, the whole question of power schemes has been under review, and it is not unlikely that tor a district such as Westland, a cheaper method of installation will be possible than a costly hydraulic proposition to meet power and lighting demands for some time to come. At present the Dominion has some very large and costly’ schemes in preparation, and there are indications that less ambitious proposals will suffice, at all events for a beginning, anti with expansion as it actually occurs, plants can be increased. Such an arrangement is the more economical and saves high rating to meet an overburden. A discussion oy a modified proposition to meet requirements of tho district should tlieiofora he very helpful at this stage.