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Hokitika Guardian, 6 November 1923, Page 2

lit! '.isi! of the Hon. f G. < oate- on Friday next to Hokitika and Ross .should have important lesults. J'kcte are several mntteis in need of readjustment or finality, and the visit will be opportune in that respect. Mr Cottles is the most impoitant of the Departmental Ministers, for he holds the portfolios of I’uhlic Winks. Railways ami l’o-t and Telegraph. In each of these there are matters of local interest requiting attentii.n. The local bodies will 1 c seeking authority in respect to the exf cnililitre of grants, which flits year appears to he delayed unduly. In regard to (lie railway service, tlie.o will no doubt lie some complaint, and utgenl requests for remedies. ’1 lie extrusion of the lino it]) the Quay to reacli timber stacking sites, is likewise a matter of the first, importance. The work about the Hokitika station should l.e speeded up also so that', a better ordeted yard will lie available for the holiday traffic. Hi regard lo postal questions, there are matters also ill need of attention, and the Minister should ho favorably disposed to meet thi> icquost.s which refer in tin l main to improved postal and telephone facilities for the country settlers.

Wirrr.K the local bodies and others are pressing their demands for public works, it is to he hoped the request for the commencement of the const.ruction of the Wailm bridge will lie given a prominent position. There is a vote, relatively small, on ttie Estimate- this year, and as far as can lie gut he red, it is not intended to start the work just yet. There is. however, special reason why the work should he put in hand without delay. The bridge has been promised definitely, but it is being whispered that the County district quota of money is being exhausted this financial year, and consequently a furthor postponement, is in the air. But Waibo bridge is of the nature ol a national rather than a district work. It will increase the value of the public estate in the way of Crown lands very materially, and seeing that the Government is not extending the railway bevottl Ross, special consideration might in fairness, be given the bridge work. Even if tenders were called now vetv little expenditure could take place within the present financial year, so that the sum involved in the main would pass into the followTng year. Taking one consideration with another the people have a right to expect a definite Ix'ginning of the work in question immediately.

Thk prospects of the Exhibition, due to open here oil December loth., continue to grow brighter and brighter as the days go by. The confidence displayed by the exhibitors is worthy of note. The value of the space now taken is over the £2,.500 mark, arid the oxhibitors are bailing from all parts of the Dominion. It is evident there will be a very fine, as also, a well varied display. The Exhibition promises to !>o well worth while, and from all accounts its fame is being noised well abroad, and the influx of folk hero will bo surprising. The promising outlook will encourage the management to laumn out in different directions to ensure in particular a good round of entertainments and general attractions. There are some forty-two days and nights to prepare for. so there is ro m for much variety. With so much con. fidence being displayed outside, it is for the Coast- people to he no less interested in their own affairs, and to help in the ma.nv ways they ran to make the all-round success of the event ux complete A 3 possible. The- town Is

to bo congratulated on its good fortune in being the location for so notable un erent in the history of the Coast, and this community in particular should do its best to rise to the occasion. The outbreak in Melbourne caused by the police strike is. a very disconcerting event. It is further evidence, if such were needed, of the necessity of main, taining in the public interests, law ami order at all costs. There was evidently something wrong with the force, became we are told that the chief complaint of the men was in regard to the system of espionage going on within the ranks. There must have been some cause for the spying—some section was not trusted—and unfortunately the course of events supports that belief. There was an insidious element within the gates, working tko men up to a state where even the champions of the law forgot, their oath, and themselves broke the law. The effect has been disastrous. The worst elements within the city were lot loose, and a reign of terror and disaster has followed. T.ie authorities will require to take exacting steps to chock the rioting and restore order, and have the law respected. That is the essence of safe government. Where excesses are permitted, the innocent suffer first and most. That has happened till along the fashionable streets of Melbourne, and the innocent are paying the price. The Government. has been remiss to allow the situation to gcr so much out of hand.