The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7th, 1924. FOLLOWING ON.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 February 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7th, 1924. FOLLOWING ON.

Tilt. Exhibition in now behind us, but tlio future is over before. Tfio Exhibition was an opportunity used to great advantage, and tin- question is what is to be done to follow up the advantages which the. opportunity of the Exhibition afforded? “We.stward-Iio” has become a very useful slogan, and tv -should not be permitted to pass out of existence. It lias an established meaning now so far a» this district is concerned, and should be a useful catch line for all future advertising to extol the Coast-. To follow up the bcnclits derived from the splendid advertisement the Exhibition gave, it would le well worth while going closely into jthe immediate possibilities ahead. There are many reports current in regard to various movements, and that being so the opportunity should be mod to further advantage to advertise t!.o district. Private enterprise will be moving no doubt in the same direction, to- many folk are alive already to the possibilities to be achieved if there is the necessary notoriety. The district has its capabilities, and they but await development-. A very important industry is likely to be established on the Coast within the next, couple of years or so, an industry which will go a long way to transform local conditions, hut in the interim much can be done to help ourselves. The rich territory to the south, every visitor tells us, needs special attention in the way of reading and special means of communication. Tiie valuable report by Mr Collins of the "Industries Department, should net he pigeon-holed. There was something more than a message in the report; it was a reminder of much that had been left undone, of much to do. And it '•■ill pay this centre in particular to do what it can to develop® South ‘Westland for here is the direct point of communication with that territory of greater promise than any other part of Westland. There should be concerted action, too, in endeavouring to induce the Government to promote a definite policy of development in South Westland. So much of the country is Crown lands in the form of endowment lands, forestry or scenic reservations, etc., that the expenditure has the direct effect of improving the public estate. There is room for great- expansion in that quarter, and at the moment there is the impression in the minds of many Ministers and members of parliament that the development of tlie couth is well worth while—in fact it is overdue. The future is so promising that the public should be more than encouraged to help themselves. They should be spurred up to assist in the development of the district. Responsibilities are cast on those in authority to take tip the good work and push it enthusiastically. Those already established industrially are now feeling the benefit of the East and West- Coast railway service, and that factor will he an improving one, rather than the opposite, for the reason that the timber trade must be fostered here most of all —where the latent resources of the Dominion have been stored. Altogether the general outlook is such that there should be common unity of action in the endeavour to push the district ahead, and realise from the new opportunities the advantages which must accrue the quicker now because of the fine advertisement derived from the Exhibition period’. The enterprise and courage of the people in regard to the I i Exhibition movement left little to bo * i

desired, and if a similar progressive sj irit tie manifested now regarding the Piornotion of the permanent advancement of the district, results no less pleasing and satisfactory must follow oil.