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Hokitika Guardian, 29 January 1926, Page 2

XiNC-t-: the foregoing was written emphasis is given to the subject referred to by the advice of the American tourists to “boost” our country. Xo doubt the presence of the American party is in itself an evidence of past “boosting,” but we take it that the visitors are .so pleased with their experience as a whole, that they tire themselves turning “boosters,” and will aid the good cause of advertising bv proclaiming from the house-tons how much they enjoyed their trip in viewing the glories to he seen. It was unfortunate wet weather was experienced on the ("oast, but there is another side to the story, as the sunshine record of Westland makes plain. Hut it is permissable to joke about our rain where the volume may be measured in feet, yet apart from that position, the climate is on the average quite pleasant and delightful, and the late experiences are quite exceptional. Xo doubt the Americans would regard this statement with a sceptical remark or two. but nevertheless it is true. However, to return to the useful advice tendered to “boost” our country, ihe suggestion is well worth taking note of. New Zealand as a whole and Westland in particular, are not advertised sufficiently. ‘Considering our own ease as we may well do without appearing selfish, because the Government treats Westland as the Cinderella province of Xew Zealand in the matter of publicity for the purpose of encouraging tourist traffic. At the present we feel sure that a little sustained advertising in the East Coastnewspapers would be specially help-

ful now that so many people are passing up and down the Coast holidaymaking. A good percentage of the travellers would elect to spend part of their holiday in Westland if their attention were drawn to the many and varied attractions this side of the South Island presents. This matter is well worth taking up in a whole-heart-ed manner.

It was pleasing to notice that among the recent visitors to the district, one at least had his eye oil the land value of Westland, and has been giving his opinion to the “ Lyttelton Times.” file visitor spoke chiefly about a portion of South Westland, and it is not surprising that, locality caught his eye for it is a very attractive district unite in its infancy in the way ol settlement. The permanent prosperity ol Westland is to come from Its land, and the more people are attracted here lor settlement the quicker will he achieved the destiny before the place. Our land, like our scenic and other assets, requires advertising and it should he encouraging to find a visitor dropping in uiion us and seeing for himscll ibe potentialities of land settlement. Land settlement in Westland is neglected in a rather characteristic way. It is difficult to recall when a .Minister ol Lands was last with us. A visit from sue." a high official, stage managed as it should he, would he most helpful in advertising the land of Westland. Just at present, thanks to the Commissioner of Lands, something is being done to attract attention to what is known as the Okuru-Jackson Hay development scheme. If the Minister of Lands were invited here, and the importance of that movement fully explained, the result would, we arc sure, he most helpful. There scorns to he a good-deal of work awaiting the Progress League of West land if i! it to keep before the public and the people at. large m.ittcrs and schemes which will be really helpful in assuring the material progress of the place. The League may not be strong enough, in it'Oll to push the important matters ahead which are rearing themselves and if so the hotly should call to its aid additional help from the local bodies to ensure achieving as much as possible in the shortest time possible. There is the opportunity inst now m help ourselves materially, let us he up and do ing to do so.