The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY. NOV. 8th, 1923. FRILENDLY AID.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 November 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY. NOV. Bth, 1923. FRILENDLY AID.

The Coast is indebted once again to friendly aid from Canterbury in representing requirements to headquarters. At Christchurch on Monday before a large and representative deputation, the following questions of local iutere-t woie put to the Hon. AH Coates. Minister of Railways and Public Works: “(a) When will the tunnel section ho handed over ? (b) Has the Minister considered the question of encouraging back-loading east to west by offering attractive freight rates in competition with sea. carriage l

(<) Has the Minister considered the question of making Hokitika the terminus for the express service?” On the subject of the completion of the Westland railway system the .Minister was asked “When is a star! likely to bo made on the Westport-Inarigahua line?”

Mr Coates was not very communicative, though somewhat discoiirsivo, in his reply. It would appear that he rather resented the questions being put by Canterbury friends on behalf of Westland, but we can assure the Hon. Minister that the public here aie very grateful for the cordial help from the East Coasters. We are not unmindful of the help from that quarter in securing the completion of the .Midland railway, ami naturally we look with a good deal of coiilidonee to the outcome of the recent deputation, even though Mr Coates limy have posed as an indifferent listener to the ) leadings of the speaker. The matters touched upon, ami the questions raised arc such that no government can afford to overlook. and we are -nie that in the end the requests supported so well from ("aiiterhiiiy will he ever present in the .Minister’s mind till tilinlly dealt with. In any ease, we shall expect the ( ••asters to speak on their own helndi". while the Mmister is on the ( mist. '1 here were seveial represent at in* gentlemen cut tile deputation, but as there was a day's lacing following fast upon the hour fixed for tile deputation, and other matters for the Minister to deni with in a. crowded day, it is reasonable to anticipate that the deputation had a hint to curtail the speeches, and on that account no doubt the ("oast '.epreueiitatives were modestly silent. But it is just as well that the matters to lie considered here in legat'd to the railways in particular, were first voiced across tile hills. T'fle representations ft out that- quniter w ere from people who had endured the agony of the train journey from Greymouth to Hokitika, after the stupid pcifoimiince of changing trains on the through journey futm Christchurch. It is well to have all points brought out. and the best point of all, if the railway authorities desire to meet the wishes of the public, is to bear wlmt the passengers have to say. Mr Coates and parly have tiavelled in tin* luxury of a special train. They will not Im,c to endure the oideal of changing trains at Greymouth, and then after a patient wait, hump along to the end of tin journey ut Hokitiku or Ross. Hearing tlmse matters hi.-t hand from travellers cannot leave the ivspunsil.li* Miiiisto‘ for the Railways ill mi I ndilfereiit mood. We are better persuaded of Alt Coates, and feel that behind the cainoiitlage of the language u-eil at Christchurch, there will !*• a k*" ii alertness to have matters righted. And, why not f That is the main mission of the railways—to cater eflicicntly for the trnftic offering, and the Minister since taking a portfolio has demonstrated always his ability to urn his position to the best advantage for the public, consistent with judicious economy. We -hall he quite content to leave it ’it that, for there is the inward assurumc in our mind, that us circumstances permit. the Hon. Minister "ill rise to *he co nsuii tuiil ib whit ns tight.