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Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1923, Page 2

\Yk are now at a time of the year when the railway traffic increases substantially. This week t >ml will witness holi. day traffic to Grey mouth and the Coast generally. The following week traffic will ke going east to the Christchurch Carnival, and thereafter the summer traffic will be on the mem', to lie enhanced considerably this season by the occasion of the Exhibition at Hokitika. If the railway is to he availed of ’ universally it is necessary to give a service which will hy. popular. Speed and convenience are essential, and so far as this end of the service is concerned, those two requirements are lacking sadly. It is the occasion for frequent complaint that the journey between Grevmouth and Hokitika i- unduly long for the through journey. while the Department’s requirement to change trains at Greymoutli, occasions much inconvenience to Lnvellers. Both matters are said to ke ‘hinder consideration.” That is the usual Government attitude, but the problem involved in the matter does not appear In ju-e-M-ni so many difficulties that it could not h - .diusted more satisfactorily ere this. We hope a- a result of the latest movement tlmi something detinite will result .or the benefit of the passenger traffic to and front Hokitika.

Till: complaints voted last night at the Town Hall regarding the railway set vice were a twice told tale. But it scents necessary to reiterate the grievances if redress is to he derived. It is not sitffieieitt to state a genuine complaint to the Department. H seems to fall mi deaf eats. It is requisite to keep on repeating, to agitate, and to bring to elfective tee all possible influential support. All this seems an unnecessary v.r.-to of rlfoti, !\r the Department through its officers most sinvlv

nise, fur instance, that the impost put upon through passengers of ('hanging trains at Greymoulh. causes piotrncted delay and is an annoying inconvenience to travellers. \s the gentleman in Christchurch said this week, the effect of not considering reasonable requirements for passenger traffic, was driving trade to rival motor services, which continued to compete .successfully against the railway. The more widely known the present unsatisfactory servlet. becomes, the mote difficult it will be for the Department to retrieve trade which is being lost for the want of the exertion to take steps to speed up n.'lfic and permit a portion of the through train to be brought, straight through to Hokitika.

Tiik neglect of Westland as a potential touri-t resort, by the Government authorities is a cnmpiuiut often made. It was repeated again last night. It apleai.s that, though New Zealand has a Tourist Department, that branch of the organisation is not a bio to function fully by leason of the fact tft a t it is not provided with funds for ’roads! When tla> Government was headed by Sir .Joseph Ward, who took a practical interest in tourist development, the Department was better equipped than now. ,\t present, when tourist roads are asked for the Department replies invariably that it has not the funds ind applicants tire referred to tlq. Unitlie Works Department., the herd of which does nut favour tourist works while Dominion loading is a pressing necessity. Tt is owing to this conflict that Lake Kanieri road is suspended tK'tweon tin' two Departments, neither of which will recognise any financial responsibility in the matter. Yet- the road referred to is most, useful alike to tourist traffic as for material industrial development. As a general principle, however, if the Tourist Department is to function efficiently it .should at least l;c supplied with funds either directly or indirectly whereby notable tourist resorts will be the more speedily developed.