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Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1924, Page 2

The discussion at the Progress League meeting this week in regard to the Wellington interest- displayed in the Coast trade, was not without its amusing side. Tlie occasion showed that at last the Coast is not the Cinderella it once was. hut that it is now eagerly sought after. Some of the speakers pointed out the Wellington interest had been somewhat Ire la ted. Apparently the business people in that quarter did not wake up to the position till they found trade 'actually leaving them.; For years the Coast people tried to obtain a better steamer service. Even over the Exhibition period the appeal for conisderation was turned down promptly. So that if the Coast is not altogether readily responsive to the amours of Wellington, it is not surprising altogether. The illustration given o' what the railway has done in the matter of wool freights suggests that lor long years the Coast was a nice little preserve for the Wellington traders. Wellington was always more or less passive in regard to the agitation for

tfio completion of the Midland railway. There was not any active opposition displayed, and but very little advocacy. But the inevitable came to pass with the opening of the railway—the steamers had a rival competitor. How far the railways will succeed against the ocean carried trade, depends on the business ability shown in the management of the railways and the desire to cater for the trade which has to be carried. There is now a bond of union between Canterbury and the Const. Canterbury was untiring and unselfish in its agitation for the completion of the line, and the union of the two Coasts is now fully established. A quick and handy means of transit will draw trade if those handling the goods cater properly. In the end the bulk of the Coast trade must go to the East Coast per medium of the railway, while as the goods traffic is improved Lyttelton must become the overseas port. There "ill be a good deal of talk and much ink spilt over the matter—also considerable delay, hut surely it stands to reason with a railway lino linking the Coasts, and trade to be done, with the railway running daily, it will not be the policy to draw empty trucks, while loaded steamers carry the freight round by Cook Strait! Government officials invariably move slowly but coininoiiseiise, combined with a sense for the fitness of things "ii bring to the mind of the dullest that the railway is there to he used, and it should he used to the utmost profit of the community at large.

It will he a- great pity if the Coast does not hold its winter school this year. For two years in succession Westland conducted the school, and though the attendance was not altogether encouraging, there were the indications of great possibilities from the furtherance of the project. The district seems to lie slow about taking up the matter this year, and the apathy has given Reef ton the opportunity of stopping into the breach, it is to ho hoped the northern district will he able to organise the school and succeed in drawing a good attendance of legitimate farmers, it is not too much to say tlmt the farmers of the Coast can dolive much general knowledge from the scope which a winter school affords, and as the Coast has great pastoral prospects, the deeper the seat of scientific knowledge among the workers oil the land, the hotter for all. There Is aJse the aspect of the farmers being brought together personally and talking over their difficulties with qualified instructors trained to impart knowledge and information. The movement is one which can ensure groat district advancement, and it is to he hoped it will be continued year by year in the several centres. The winter schools are capable of doing great good for the Coast at large.