The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY. JANUARY 25th, 1923. PEACE AND PROSERITY.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY. JANUARY 25th, 1923. PEACE AND PROSERITY.

Thu return to prospering trade conditions depend on the sincerity of the pence i onilitious, particularly in Kuriqie. Snob is the conclusion of an economic writer at Home dealing with the recovery of British Trade. Discussing the matter tit some length, lie reaches the following summing up id the position, a position which in a great measure governs also the tendency to prospering conditions in *:hc Dominion, lie writes that:—The recent im) mveincr.t in international relations in Europe symbolised hv rhe 1 nni.i Treaty gives a reasonable promise of providing the necessary political security for the economic recovery that has proceeded steadily for tit 1 past few years. There is some ground also for hoping that the worst of the internal readjustments. of which the real industry si fiords the test example, ate in process of being made, while it is a hojelul sign to find that the leaders of British industry are alive to the necessity ol reorganisation to meet the different- competition of the new industries in hitherto i ackward countries. .V quotation pi-,no till- report of the Balfour Com-

• nillee on Industry and Trade sums up the position very clearly. Tho adverse forces which slid operate in fhe n: irkefs themselves to retard the lull recovery of British trade arc in the main world-forces, which operate with equal intensity against the trade of oilier exporting countries. . . bill their effects are felt with special acuteness !iv a country like Great Britain, which depends so greatly on foreign trade to maintain the enjoyment of its population. Of the forces referred to. some eve 1 re.u.siti'ry, like the instability of exchange, fhe dearth of capital, the impaired financial and economic weakness of our customers following the Great. War. The world is still poorer for tlie waste of war. and years of hard toil will he necessary to re-es-tablish its purchasing power. But 'viveil peace and politi al stability, i.h ■:•■• is no reason to doubt that recovery will take place, ft may also he honed that such difficulties as arise

Yen cr.wV’ measures restricting comiicrciel. marilhne nr financial ititer- ■ • ' id. ill the long run, he miti-

1 ! y iut ■■. nit ional .agreement, or !>v naliora! Licit based on the teaching of evperieiu e. But other forces, like the growlh of manufacture in the k: iud.v.f triallv developed countries,

luidnu! iedlv represent permanent tendencies, with which traders must inv. iialdv reckon in future, and to tvhi'-'i il is. therefore, essential that 1 In* - ‘."lo'.ild stiive with all their power io accommodate their outlook, their methods, and their organisation.” T!>es“ tlion arc the necessary preliminaries t» complete recovery of Bri--1 ’.inks industrial prosperity, the revival of world, and particularly of L o.,pain trade, and the adjustment of her industrial organisation to meet i banging market conditions. So far her progress towards recovery has been chequered and slow, but the evidence -bows that substantial progress has already been made, and solid foiindai' us. have been laid for future prosperity.

The weather last week, especially towards the week-end had its effect on the creek crossings on the main south read, again emphasising the need for bridgiug the streams. Nowadays when

so many private parties are motoring through the district, it is very disheartening for some of their members to come to grief in some of the crossings. The delays and damage to the car. more or less valuable, i.s also very inconvenient, while the knowledge that ahead there are some other unhridged creeks which might cause more trouble to the motorist, robs the journey of much of its pleasure. The creeks are somewhat responsive to the rainfall, and lowering clouds or heavy showers cause parties to decamp much sooner ami quicker than otherwise would he the case. The position is that it is futile to do much booming and advertising of the district to attract visitors, if on arrival local conditions drive them out quicker than they came in with unfavourable impressions of motoring conditions. It would appear that it is essential therefore to concentrate on bridging all the creek crossings to AVaiho Gorge. By eonsentration this should not bo difficult. At the rate of progress the difficulties will lie very slow in solving themselves.. and ere the last creek is bridged no doubt the south trip would have been well barred by motor visitors. But if the work could be speeded up now with the aid of a substantial vote from the hoarded money in

possession of the Highways Board from motor taxation, the menace could be removed very quickly. The matter is one which needs grappling with urgently. Even while waiting for the bridges those controlling the road should he urged to pay special attention to the fords. All fords should he well defined for the benefit- of touring motorists, and any deep guts should have attention immediately. The relief by these means alone would he very considerable and he the means of e reducing the risk to strangers passing, up ami down the district. But the es-t sential tilings are bridges and more bridges, till the length of road is void! of traps for the unwary. The eontrolling hotly is to he congratulated on the state of the road surface; through to the Wniho. Recent travellers report there has been much improvement of late, and those using the. road have occasion to rejoice at the pleasure of driving over the road. The scenic glories of the route are outstanding. and it- is a pity that the joys of the trip are endangered by the doubt always existing as to the safety of the ford crossings. In the common interests it is imperative that the bridging of the streams is now of the highest importance, and the fullest representations to that end should he made. On that- account the visit of the Highways Board to-day is most opportune.