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Hokitika Guardian, 5 June 1924, Page 2

The evidence, rather than the finding, seems to have hecii the most arresting aspect in connection with the loss of the Xgaliore on the Greymouth bar. The harbormaster in his testimony did not camouflage the hidden dangers in regard to tho working of that port. According to the report in a ‘Wellington paper, the witness said : “A man who thinks he is going to work Greymonth without humping is basking in a fool’s paradise.” Bumping when crossing the Grey bar is considered a rather dangerous practice because of the wreckage strewn nliout and the heavy boulders which have become detached from the training walls. It seems to lie of the greatest importance therefore that the authorities of the port hearing this contingency in mind, should see that the depth of water on the liar should he carefully notified for the benefit of all at regular intervals. Rut the aspect to effect the public generally is that with so piecarious a bar. liable to so many serious accidents, not to say disasters, the port should lie regarded as a satisfactory one, for the whole district. Tt is manifest that a harbor bristling with such dangers at the very mouth will not be popular with shipping. Being considered a possible “fool’s paradise” it follows that it would be foolish to spend huge sums of money to embellish in any way such » port while it lias its serious limitations to large shipping. The people of this district, seeing that they have been tacked on to the hnrIwr district, can afford to take more than a passing interest in the matter, ns they arc more or less involved in the fortunes of the harbor. The late disaster was most, unfortunate and is to he deplored greatly. buT such accidents would appear to bo inevitable according to the conclusions of the harliormaster. It is just a question as to what ship will lie the next to bump once too often, and another wreck will be registered against the port-. Tt is not a comforting prospect- for shipping, while those dependent on the port will feel equally uncomfortable as to what the future may bold.

Speaking at the Raglan Show, the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. R'. F. Bollard) said that there had been a little decline in the nriees of butter and cheese in the Home markets, but lie thought that when the Dairy Control Board was in full working order t|iesf. primary ppoductfl pf the

Dominion would ho placed in a better position. Some people, of course, objected to tbe controlling powers of the Dairy Control Board—for instance, a farmer had remarked to him the other day: “Why doesn’t the board stay in New Zealand and control matters. instead of tripping abroad ’’

That farmer had missed the main factor. ft was not that matters needed controlling in New Zealand—not so much the regulation of prices, but the chief aim was in securing in the Home markets, a fair and square deal for the New Zealand producers. New Zealand wanted stability in the handling of her products, and when that had been achieved it would be a better day for the country. The same opposition had been shown to the scheme permitting the British Government to commandeer the meat output of the Dominion. But when the scheme was in proper working order the producers found that they "ore getting a fair price, and so when the British Government decided to extend the commandeer for a further year it would ho romeiidieied that there were cheers all round, because the producers knew that they were getting a fair deal. Tie hoped that the butter and cheese producers would experience the same pmi.sanl sfwisalion —that a fair and square deal would lie obtained for them on the English markets.