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Hokitika Guardian, 2 January 1925, Page 2

Tor. X kw Ykak is now entered upon. With the fleeting years time seems to adopt- the facility of Hying faster. H seems hut a. vary short year since 11)2-1 was ushered in, and the lact that the limes are moving so swiltly should spin us to faster movement also. It is not sufficient that should sit by and wail for things to happen. 'I he Micawher spirit should he thrown ofl. and as the Americans say wo should row out and meet our boat. There has not been so very much local enterprise dispayed of late in the effort to help ourselves. In the past year the community was disposed to rest on its oars and wait for better times. But it is evident »c must help ourselves to secure better times. There are opportunities which will alford improved conditions if they arc taken advantage of. High hopes and expectations have been expressed from time to time about the I’utiiro of Westland. With its store of natural wealth it has great possibilities. Tile Americans who came amongst us a little over three years ago have shown what could lie doin' in the way of patient industry as disclosed by thorough prospecting. The results were obtained. Tlmt success should encourage similar enterprise in other parts of the district, but the courage is lacking. Booking to the South country. "here there is lie greatest natural asset, it is to lie hoped the present year "ill .see a definite movement towards the comprehensive scheme of rending and developing the far south. If public opinion asserts itself loud enough, something practical will result. In other parts of the Dominion the Government is spending huge sums of money in various directions covering extension of railways, electrical expansion, and reading. There is no set plan tor AVestland on these lines, and it is for the people to supply the omission, and put up to the Government an undertaking justified by the prospects. Along such lines the new year should hold some advantage to Westland, and enable results full of great hopes to come to pass in due course. But ilierc must he concerted action loealy, well-sustained.

With the increasing volume of tourist Ira flic attracted to this district something should ho done regardiii jr the provision locally of n wclleqnipped tourist huroau where the tidiest information could lie supplied to visitors. The Government was uracil ii, this direction on a former occasion, when a suggestion was made to utilise a room at the public library for the purpose, hut no official encouragement was given to the suggestion. A\ ith a growing volume of traffic, the information bureau becomes more and more essential. At such a fount of knowledge visitors would glean information which in many instances would result in the slay of visitors being extended. |Sy securing the co-operation of the local branch of the Automobile Society the value of such a. central bureau could he enhanced greatly, and the fullest knowledge broadcasted. The library would he a very central location, and the staff there at a small additional erst could lie utilised to take charge of the bureau. It would he an effective and economical way of supplying a much felt want by visitors, and by keeping in touch, with the various bureaux, and tourist offices throughout the Dominion, the stream of traffic Westland-wnrds would be added to greatly.