The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5th, 1926. NATIONAL SCHEMES.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY sth, 1926. NATIONAL SCHEMES.

A 'Wellington paper gives promincnco to what it describes ns a national scheme of import a nee to the eitv ol Wellington. It is the Kuknhi-Taiipo railway to tat) a big area of bush coniitry. According to the report there is -every prospect of an early start being made with the work subject- to certain local interests falling into line with the general scheme. The undertaking is to be carried out with -Mnglisli capital and with the financial assistance of the Government exerted through the Trade Facilities Act. The project is undertaken primarily for timber purposes, but the line would remain for general use as the settlement of the country developed. Some 60.000 acres of bush country are proposed to he tapped and the project is regarded its most interesting to Wellington City. The opening up of the country is most essential and it is argued that the scheme has a national appeal because it is to serve a great undeveloped aac-a. and the question is put what could be more important than the economic development of the millions of waste acres lying in the heart of the North Island? It will be interesting to see how this great project proceeds, for unfortunately it is governed by “certain local interests’’ which require to fall into line to assure' the project coming to pass. Mention of ttiis North Island scheme reminds us we have a scheme no less important in the South Island—a scheme, too, of national importance. The development- of the Jackson Bay territory is on a par with that towards the Taupo region—but unfortunately so far the powers that be have not boon helpful. Outside capital might lie on the counter, but conditions and rest riel ions arc such as to preclude enterprise on a scale equal to the needs of five occasion. Nearer homo we have the large sawnnlling undertaking south of Ross. There, when it was ascertained the Government had abandoned the idea of proceeding with the railway south to tap the timber lielts required for immediate trade, private enterprise took on the work, lint it is not too much to say lias been harassed, where possible, by a Government Department from which help rather than repnession might be expected. At the moment (in fact for some months past) the Department in question i.s blocking the way of the tramway extension in a very dog-in-the-mamger spirit, and so is not only bolding up an important enterprise, but is disgusting those with capital to invest who would otherwise be encouraged to launch out on even a larger scale than at present i.s in hand. What an enterprise of even the present scale means is to be seen at Ross where sawmilling is now the chief support of the place. The value of the industry to the southern community would be even greater were the Department referred to not so illiberal in its methods. Yesterday we referred to Government interference being a serious break on New Zealanders’ enterprise. Thv? case quoted at Ross is a striking example of the severe restriction in this district, and we shall not- lie surprised if in the Taupo scheme the same adverse influence rears itself, for there are some State Forest areas to be served also. However, the position can be watched, and in the end it might be a useful example to pattern by, for we take it what is served out in the North Island might be asked for in the South Island. In the way of national schemes Westland has much to offer, and looking to the future, the people must become interested in developments which will serve for the public good.