GREYMOUTH HARBOR

Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1924, Page 4

GREYMOUTH HARBOR

■■CRITICISM KFSFNTKH. ORKYMOFTH, November .3. Commenting on the altitude of “The Press ” towards certain (Ireymoutli niereiiants, as expresod in a leading article in Friday’s issue, the “Star,” in an editorial, quotes the statement that this port will he quite closed up by ships which are periodically wrecked at {lreymoutli. The article proceeds; A popular quotation declares that it is only fools who prophesy this. *‘ 'l’lie Press " prediction could scarcely he more foolish. To those who know the Hurt the absurdity of such a slate-

is apparent, and we arc surprised that a newspaper of tin* standing o! "The Press " descends to such guild methods. How different from its editorial comments on Coast prospects twelve to eighteen moths hack. We have no quarrel with our contemporary for doing what it can to secure all possible Irade fur its own province and port, hut Id it pla.v the game fairly. It is not the Coast that wishes the Otira tunnel to he blown up, hut Canterbury that wishes to see flreymouth harbour commercially destroyed so that Lyttelton may have a valuable trade monopoly. It will he a sorry day for the Coast when its commercial harbour is 150 miles away. Coasters fortunately arc aware of the position, and will not assist Canterbury’s onesided scheme. This Canterbury agitation to kill (ireymouth port's prosperity should prompt our Harbour Hoard to get busy with desirable improvements.

" PRKS'S ” IN RFPLY. , Wo are not quite sure whether the i (Ireymouth "Star ” believes that we do not know where (Ireymouth is, or hopes that we have never heard of | Westland. It can hardly suppose that we know the difference between (Jreymoutli and “The Coast,” or it would not, in the gentle protest which appears on this page, have contrasted our present view of (Iroymouth’s wreck-strewn harbour with our earlier references to the prospects of the Coast as a whole. The "Star” is good enough not to quarrel with us for doing what we can to help Lyttelton hut says that we ought “ to play the game fairly.” We should not say that the Coast wishes Otira tunnel to he blown up, hut should confess frankly that “Canterbury yearns to see Clreymoutli harbour commercially destroyed.” Well, wo will not and did not sav the first, and it is not necessary to sigh for the second. Whatever view “certain people in (Ireymouth” have of themselves it is not our view that they are “ The Coast.” Nor do we spend the silent watches of the night praying for the destruction ol (Ireymouth Harbour. Whoever has an interest in that operation can leave the result with confidence to the winds and the waves. Our concern, and we are sure it is the concern of all in (Ireymouth who are not “ certain people,” to encourage free interchange of trade between the two provinces. IT the “Star” thinks it is “playing the game fairly ” to recommend waiting for the harbour which it agrees has yet to ho made instead of using the railway which is already open, we shall not call that a descent to the gutter. We shall call it as hold as saying that " only fools prophesy ’’—and then prophesying.