The Guardian (And Evening star,with which is in-Corporate the west coast Times.) SATURDAY, JULY 28th. 1923 THE WEEK

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening star,with which is inCorporate the west coast Times.) SATURDAY, JULY 28th. 1923 THE WEEK

In a very interesting address delivered this week on the history of the Midland Railway, Mr P. R. Clirnio of Christchurch referred to the fact that in 1830, actually over forty years ago, the Westland Railway League came into existence for the or.e purpose of prosecuting and sustaining agitation fc-r tlie construction of the East and A\est const railway. The Longue then constituted was a very active one, and did a great deal of spade work in

bringing about the scheme on which tho Midland Railway Company was founded. Tho Government of the day was not in a position to prosecute tlio construction of the lino, and following the American example, the idea of payment by lurid concessions was urged. In tho “West Coast Times” of April 28, 1880, the whole project was thoroughly reviewed, and the State was urged to part with land whereby the lino would bo built, and the whole territory affected by tho railway route enhanced in value. The matter was very closely investigated at the time and from that launching of the project finally materialised tho land payment scheme under which tho Midland Railway Company was brought into being n few years later, and the work put in hand.

But the Midland Railway'Company did not persevere to tho end, with the result that for many years largo tracts of land were locked up in Westland as reservations for selection, and in consequence natural settlement was held up. In time the district had to set up an agitation for the uplifting of the reservations so that the land might Ik* thrown open for selection. It took some years to gain the end, but eventually tho reservations were lifted and settlement so long retarded was again possible. The hold up on the Coast by the reservations was tt very serious one for the district, and it took in tho end a strong man like the late U. .T. Seddon to grapple with the question and tho Company, before the required relief was obtained. Thereafter the. Coast was penalised still further by the very long delay in prosecuting the completion of tho work. The tunnel itself lias taken fifteen years to complete. instead of tho five originally proposed ! All this protracted delay has meant mi extra, burden to the Coast cut i.tf from tile rest of the Dominion, but. at last ue are within a week of n realisation ot the nrtlent hopes for

the past forty years and more, and the occasion calls for an expression of heartv gratification from the Coast in pai liciila r.

Tilk British lTimo Minister ha.s declared that Britain's credit is unimpaired. Mr Stanley Baldwin is eminently qualified to talk of finance for it was in relation to two outstanding financial strokes that lie owes Ills eminence in British polities. In bis choice as Crime Minister an American writer remarks the two essentially vital factors were bis funding of the debt with America and bis Budget. In each of these enterprises Mr Baldwin built largely upon tho accomplishments of Ins personal friend and business associate, _.r Hubert Horne, whom lie now seeks to include in bis Cabinet. Sir Robert bad laid the groundwork lor each problem. No when Mr Baldwin came to America early last year, he accomplished bis mission in one month and was gone before people generally regarded the conference is begun. Once returned to London, lie hastened to introduce bis first Budget. Defending it, be showed, to the surprise of the Commons a surplus of 000.000.000d015., but increased the revenues only 50,000,000 dols., taking care of the difference bv the application cf the most rigid economy. As a result of his drastic action there was an immediate reduction in postal rates and a lowered income tax, with the corporation tax cut in two.

Si'kAKiNu at the Guildhall this week, in reply to n toast. ‘ The Public l’urse,” Mr Baldwin expounded Britain’s financial position with a remarkable statement of foot which is well worth reprinting to emphasise where Old England stands financially, and how well the great nation is pulling; through with her lead of debt. He said that in three years, out of income, the country bad reduced its debts by four hundred milliens and nearly halved the floating debt from fifteen hundred to eight hundred millions; also paid all foreign debts except American; bad paid Japan twenty-five millions, and as much again in loans to Canada. The staff in the Government offices was now only ton ter cent greater than before the voir■ These things were accomplished at a price but that price resulted in maintaining unimpaired English credit, which credit was the life-blood of commerce. This is a record surely to be proud of. It is a wonderful achievement in the face of all the other political difficulties—foreign and internal —which Great Britain bus bad to grapple with almost- daily.

Tub meeting on Thursday of the guarantors of the hig exhibition to lie held here towards tho end of the year, served to clear the air in regard to reports current as to tho fate ol the project. For some reason it got into the air that the Exhibition was to be abandoned. This seemed a strange conclusion after the useful spade work which had been done preparatory for the great show itself. However, the gentlemen present, unanimously resolved to go on—which really was the only course to take. The finance seems to be well assured, more money living guaranteed than was originally asked for. The accommodation issue- was raised of course. That will lx* with us always—we hope. It will ho a very satisfactory state of affairs if there Is always ft suggestion of congestion in regard to accommodation. It was shown, however, that the hotelkeepers are beginning to move, and that, several of them will co-operate practically. It is a surprise to learn that some of the number are net assisting with tho guarantee, but where they do not feel so disposed to help, they should, as a matter of ordinary business lay themselves out to provide extra accommodation on their premises. That certainly will lx* expected of them if they are to act properly within the law of innkeepers.

The move to increase the number of the Exhibition Council w(as no doubt a wise one, as there is much executive work t v be done, and tho larger personnel will 1 erm.it a better division of the labor. The community must be grateful for what lias been done already. The project has been well advertised, and there is much valued support offering from all quarters. Just now, a week before tlie through railway Ls in operation, we have not come to realise perhaps what is going to happen when direct railway traffic is established. It will make a very great, difference to the voliur.o of traffic, exhibition or no exhibition, but the exhibition will be a primary reason for enticing many folk who had a former attachment to the Coast to visit old haunts and renew old acquaintances. On that account alone the influx must bo rather ab-

normal, but it v.ill all add to the g;cater success of tho Exhibition, financial and otherwise. Really tlioso who assert that there is not going to be enough accommodation for the crowds which will come this way, are giving proof in advance of tho success the Exhibition should be, for its ultimate success turns on tho point of attendance, and that according to all accounts is more than assured now.

Whatever he said about our Dominion v\hen he was here, Mr Julian Grande, tho international journalist, has said very pleasant things about us on the other sido of the world. In the Montreal ‘‘Gazette” of June 9th he called New Zealand the “most charming country (he had) ever visited. . .

never dull or monotonous, but wonderfully varied by plains and valleys, gentle slopes and hills, deep ravines, and bold peaks, fortified eminences and great snow mountains.” While he refused to compare our Alps with the Rockies, lie did not hesitate to place “their peaks, passes and glaciers head and shoulders above anything in the Swiss. French, or Italian Alps,” and to call the bush scenery between the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers the most glorious he had seen anywhere in the world. He even defended us against the sad old Christian, Charles Darwin, who on leaving New Zealand on the 30th. December, 1335, entered in liis diary:

“In the afternoon we stood out of the Ray of Islands on our course to Sydney. I believ wo were nil glad to leave New Zealand. It is not a pleasant place, and amongst the natives there is absent that charming simplicity which is found at Tahiti, and the greater part of the English are the very refuse of society. Neither is the country itself attractive. 1 look back to but one bright spot, and that is Wnimatc with its Christian inhabitants.”

So everybody now ought to be happy again—even the Heathen without the gates of Waimato.