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Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1923, Page 2

The Christchurch industrialists evidently have their eyes oil the West Coast trade now that there is through railway connection. It is recognised that heretofore the bulk of the West Coast trade went to Wellington, and there is the promise of keen rivalry between Canterbury and Wellington provinces for the trade offering on the Coast. The people here 'may look upon the contest with pleasure, for it should result largely to their profit-. At Christchurch on Wednesday night, Mr H. J. Marriner addressed a meeting of industrialists with regard to trade prospects ntnd indicated the possibilities. He was able to supply some interesting particulars of railway freights, ami made the pleasing announcement that the one section through treight rate would come into force on Ist. September. Particulars of the freight rates with an outline of Mr Marriner's address appear in this issue, and it will lie seen that Mr Marrrinor suggested a tour of the Coast by the Canterbury merchants in order to spy out the mnd for themselves and glean possibilities of trade and actual requirements. No doubt the Coast will be duly courted u y the principal trading bouses. That was t-o ho expected. It is the natural development following the opening of through rail connection.

The members of tue Exhibition Council who visited Christchurch this week had a cordial reception at the hands of the Canterbury manufacturers whom they met in force on Wednesday night, and had the opportunity of addressing a representative gathering. The opportunity afforded an excellent opening for propaganda work, and no doubt the Lost use was made of the occasion. The exhibition will no doubt be in great favor with the Canterbury folk. It will be there where the bulk of the public patronage will be drawn from. Christchurch trade, though such close neighbors, have not had the opportunity yet of participating in the West Coast trade to the legitimate extent they might. But the railway should change all that. It is noticeable that the parcels by railway transit are now much more numerous. A couple of vans are necessary for the outward journey front Christchurch, and they are both full of goods of all descriptions. This is a class of trade which will grow greatly. ii is an indication of how the wind will blow when tracing relations are

iii full swing, nnd Cantwbilry is naturally loking forward to tlie opportunity of serving her legitimate customer so close at hand.

Ak interchange of visits such as has been suggested between the citizens of the two Coasts would bo of value to both districts. The Coast needs all the advertising it can. got in order to attract more people. Such a visit would assist greatly to that desirable end. i'hero is much false prejudice and complete misunderstanding in regard to the Coast. It has been for so long a sort of never, never land, the Cinderella of the Dominion. In that way it has come to be neglected. Also it has been out of the ordinary route of the average traveller. Now that the Coast is linked up with the South Island railway system, it is on a level with other centres for trade competition and «. velopmcnt. There is no doubt the opportunity is here for much expansion. With the new year wo believe there will bo such a demand for land that the cutting up of some of the larger holdings in the dairying centres will ho inevitable. A land sale here in January nr February next would attract possible buyers from all parts of the Dominion, and such an event would be the beginning of that expansion m settlement which we have believed always the railway would make possible.