The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY, SEPT. 20th, 1923. LOCAL NEEDS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY, SEPT. 20th, 1923. LOCAL NEEDS.

The local branch of tho Progress I.engue is taking up a useful work at this stage in drawing attention to various activities which pushed, to a useful point, would prove of great advantage in regard to local developments. Reading the list of matters as detailed in yesterday’s issue, one might sigh .with ‘Veoil Rhodes that there Is “so little done and so much to do” yet to reach the fulfilment of our ambitions. The various matters all have a. bearing more or less material on the well-being of the district. We notice that it has been determined to refer tho list to the local Hedies’ Conference at the Town Hall nest Wednesday. That is a wise step, for we should hope that the list migh„ he sifted with a view of concentration on half a doyen special matters, rather than on (t dozen o r more general mat-

ters, which it would not be possible to do justice too, as a whole. With soino of tho activities accomplished, there would bo immediate results. There are matters which might have early attention. In the past the local branch of the League has done very well in reference to the objectives it has had in hand, and this nil] enable the members with the greater confidence to turn to the future. Now that the district is linked with the South Island railway system, it is certainly appropriate to make the most n.se of the service with regard to the expansion of tourist traffic. Westland .should he placed definitely on the map covering Dominion tourist routes. While locally a great deal has been done in tho way of publicity to advertise the resorts of the district, the Government lias not made the sustained effort on the matter that it has, say, at Rotorua and such-like favoured places. Westland’s claims must needs be urged persistently and insistently. A very important matter mentioned at the League meeting this week was the need for closer settlement to result from the cutting up of some of the larger held holdings. In every settlement in Westland, t'ore are those with considerable holdings, which often is the pick of the land, for the reason that the holders were the pioneers, and nadi the opportunity of a wide and free choice. Invariably the areas are so large that they are not being utilised to anything like their capacity. In most eases they arc used for grazing, while under closer settlement it would lie possible to carry on dairying which would mean increased population. Where the owners of tho land could be induced to out up the large grazing areas into smaller dairy farms, the ultimate value to district progress would lie very considerable. There is one very important matter affecting, future possibilities, and that is in regard to research work. This should not ho confined solely to mining or mineral development, but also to furl her agricultural pursuits. Something is being done naw in a. limited way, hut. here is a district which we. are told is destined to become a second Taranaki. If we would hasten the time of the arrival of that halcyon period, dairying experts should he invited to centre on the district and impart, knowledge and information to those oil the land and assist the expansion of the industry. Tn the Okuru district., for instance, dairying is aoout to be taken up, and to ensure success in that remote quarter, it is conceivable it would be of great value to have a dairy instructor on the spot to help the dairymen grapple the more quickly with problems which will present themselves in regard to both herds and soil, not to say anything of the general management of the factory. There are many ways in which the district can lie assisted to success, and the (Vogrc-s League movement is the sort of undertaking to contribute to Hie main objective. The aim should have wholehearted support.