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Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1923, Page 2

The meeting of the County Council this week served to-emphasise the importance of that Inkly in regard to the general welfare of the district. 'lhe reports published in connection with Uie meeting, showed the large amount of work performed during the month, and the fact that the Council finished up a busy period with a credit balance, was some tribute to the administration. 'lhc now departure of granting a rebate on rates paid promptly was a pleasant experience to the Council, if not to the ratepayers themselves, who directly received the advantage to he derived from prompt payment. Doubtless, in future years, the system of rebate will he more popular still. The Council evidently has a heavy liability ahead of it with the main road bridges, lately handed over by the Government. It is rather a heavy burden, hut the Council is doing the best under the circumstances, and is constituting a special bridge staff to deal with structures in need of attention. Such a system should have sv good effect and ultimately will no doubt he very much appreciated. With the new road plant being imported, it would appear that in a year or two the district road works should bo so well organised that the ratepayers will not only enjoy better roads, hut also at a reduced maintenance cost.

Thf.tie is the suggestion to make this month’s conference of the local bodies a special meeting for the purpose of advancing district requirements. Three of these conferences are held periodically during the year, and tlie third for this year falls on the 26th. inst. The occasion offers possibilities which should not be loKt sight of. Mr Murdoch has mad* a suggestion that a Minister of the Crown should he asked to attond. It is a capital idea, and would lend special interest to the gathering. The presence of a Minister would enable local views and requirements to reach the Government direct. At- the present moment’ this is most desirable in regard to various subjects. A new era is commencing by reason of the fact that Westland is now linked with the South Island railway system. The effect of this, despite the poor service granted to the district, is an increasing volume of traffic. Under hotter service conditions there will he greater material development, and the conference suggested should take up the question tor a better service both in regard to railway communication and also in respect to highway communication to feed the railway traffic. Theie is loom for this; in fact- the need for action is urgent.

The Progress League has il catalogue of requirements affecting district development which could very apropriately constitute a text for sound conference work, and for legitimate representations to the Government in legatd to district development. We take it, that having in the long last provided railway access, the Government of the day is anxious to see that connection turned to the greatest advantage, and used to the best purpose in promoting trade within the district, and in turn reaping its return from the expansion which would follow. The members of the local bodies would, w e have no doubt impress the Minister with the importance cf the matters proposed and their earnestness in regard to general development. Altogether, the idea to invite the attendance of a Minister to the conference-table, seems ft very proper one, and with an agenda paper carefully prepared, a list of mat-

tors of topical inteiest could be drawn up which would cover a useful field for district activity. The enlightening of a Minister of the Crown through such a representative source would be rather a new departure, hut it has much to commend it outside of the. novelty of the proposed action.