The Guardian (And Evening star,with which is in-Corporate the west coast Times.) TUESDAY, AUGUST 7th. 1923 A GREAT ADVERTISEMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 7 August 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening star,with which is inCorporate the west coast Times.) TUESDAY, AUGUST 7th. 1923 A GREAT ADVERTISEMENT

Tjik Coast in general and Westland in particular has enjoyed a great advertisement from the opening of the .Midland Railway. All eyes are fumed this way. The great dailies of Chri.stctmreh have excelled themselves in t-he way of special matter extolling the Coast, and discoverin'; » country of great possibilities. As one of the papers r. marked, it. desires to keep

“’Westland*s nit-orwstr, prominently heI loro tho public of the re-st. ot t.ho Dominion, and to front Westland as n district no kvs.s important in tho eyes of tlie* newspaper tlnm Canterbury, and ns havino- as great a claim ms Canterbury upon its support and interest.” When we recall that Westland was at one time part of Canterbury we understand better thin state of intimate affect Ton for bur we.ll-hoing. Ihe occasion just now is as though the prodigal had returned to tho family fold, and there is great rejoicing under tho paternal roof. The Const, therefore, is very much in tho public eye. This was evidenced further on Saturday by the great gathering of public men at Otira to do honor to n great event. All classes ami professions were represented, and it is not too much to say that all were sensibly interested in the district. Well, front out of this great advertisement and marked interest in the public welfare of the Coast-, what are the people themselves going to do to justify it all? The district eon survive but by works alone. To extoll our resources is one thing—it is another to develop them. The people must, be prepared to help themselves if they would take advantage of the inflowing tide. Westland proper has particularly good grounds for helping itself. It has the assets which make it the assured centre for future success. Its lnnd, its timber, its mineral, its scenic wonders, all stand in need of development to ensure that certain expansion to come from increased trading and growing population. Many districts tapped by costly railways have not- the resources which this and the south district have, and if the people will lie seriously enterprising and progressive, a great advantage will in the end be reaped. Those enthusiastic spirits who are promoting a large exhibition at the end of the year to advertise the district should bo encouraged in overv way. It is a time for help and assistance in every* way. and not for indifference or opposition to a proposal which should be the means of supplying great- internal development-. The town must- be made worthy of the occasion in the way of accommodation, and the business people must set about preparing for the event by anticipating the increased business which will he

done. Throughout tne district jeoplc may look with confidence for busier times. Tiio great advertisement just given, combined with the exhibition to come, wiii resu.t in t •lou.sands of ext.a people finding their way to the Coast. Such a result will have very positive effects. There will be ti.e oxtraordinary increase in the volume of general business, and these thousands are not likely tc move about the Coast without many hundreds settling here permanently.. An advertisement is designed primarily to increase business or trade, and the great advertisement AVestlaud is now enjoying will result in a remarkable increase of traffic here. Are the people waking up to the new order of things, or will thoy remain inactive, and allow enterprising strangers to come- in and reap advantages which they have the tiist opportunity to gather?