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Hokitika Guardian, 11 April 1924, Page 2

Tun list of works for Government grants which the local body drew up at the County meeting on Tuesday afternoon, seemed to suggest that there is still much to ho done to open up the County of Westland. There was a long list of works covering all parts of the County, and the works were represented as being all more or less urgent. The prospects of a satsifactory handling of the list are not too promising. The Government has not available the money to satisfy the demands ol the local bodies for the assistance required. At the moment Air -Massey is hut waiting a suitable opportunity to rush on to the money market for more borrowing. It is a frenzied method of finance in the light of the load of debit the Dominion is carrying while Mr Massey talks of waiting for a chance to approach the money lender; he talks also of reducing taxation; and then assumes an optimistic tone about the financial outlook! The financial policy of the Government is a very haphazard one. Mr Massey continues to trust to luck in regard to tinfling money, and it must be confessed he has been unwittingly lucky. But that be is without a definite policy to handle the finances of the country is evidenced by the Government action in setting up Taxation Commissions in 1922 and 1921. The Minister is looking for a lead and guidance, A specially selected commission is set- up. which suggests that both the Government and its officers are incapable of dealing with the financial issues. This condition, of affairs suggests that finances are going to be tight, and tile local bodies will he on short commons with regard to Government money for work's to open up the country. Westland is a great area, largely Groan estate. Thousands i.l

acres of State lands, reservations, and endowments range through the district, so that it is of importance to have tin district as a whole improved to relied the value on the Crown estate. It is to lio hoped therefore that the local body will nut he appealing in vain this

Tiie proposal put forward l>y tin* Mayor to amalgamate the Caanilier of Conimeree and the local Progress League has a good deal to commend it to popular favour. As matters stand tlieie is a good deal of overlapping in regard to both the personnel and the objective of the bodies. The Chamber is the older body, and was promoted to do much auxiliary work outside the scope of the statutory local bodies, for the advancement of the district. After being well established, the proposal was put forward to set up a branch of the Progress League, and this was seized upon, at the time the better to work in with our Canterbury friends, who were offering such influential support towards the completion of the Midland railway. For a considerable time there w as much independent work to he done, and the two bodies worked independently and enthusiastically. Now tin the* magnum onus is an accomplished fact, there is less need for the two bodies. At the same time both are to

he commended for the consistent and , persistent way in which each went about its self-imposed task. The position is now at the stage when the constitution of the two bodies might be revised with the object of bringing about a merger, and establishing one strong body which will still be able to devote special attention to the respective matters hitherto calling fur action. There is urgent need for the continuance of the good work the bodies have taken up in the past. Knch has played a conspicuous part in endeavouring to promote local interests, and the thanks of the community are due to those gentlemen who have worked on disinterestedly in the effoit to promote local interests. There remains much to he done. The local bodies, too, are pla ving their part, hut there are matters outside the scope of their set duties which a local institution such as would he created futile amalgamation proposed, would b° of service in performing. The meeting on Monday night to consider the reconstitution of the Chamber of Commerce should he well attended by all 'concerned in local advancement and development so as to ensure the cliapge being well hacked by public opinion, and give the greater confidence and encouragement to the committee.