The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1923. SOUTHERN WESTLAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1923. SOUTHERN WESTLAND.

It is ;t matter for regret that the Hon .Minister of lannis has abandoned his • idea of entering Westland from Otago by way of the llaust I’ass, and making his way tip the Coast in due course. The weather was suggested as the cause for the change in plans, hilt as it turned out the Minister lias missed a spell of magniiiccut weather, and for the time being at least, lost the opportunity of seeing the tar souLli under ideal renditions. The visit, of the Minister of Lauds was being looked forward to with interest, because the far south territory is just the sort of country for a Minister of the Crown to travel over. So much ol it is Crown I'Statc that it would be well indeed for the Minister to inspect personally the range of country in that pan of the Dominion in 1 1 is special keeping. Also, there is the finest.ion of the Jackson Bay settlement scheme. It is most desirable that a member of the Cabinet should have personal knowledge of tDe country, and its natural features. The Minister of Lands, in particular, should he identified personally with all the facts of the case. Now it would appear Mr McLeod purposes coming here next mouth, and following the beaten track as far as Waihol This is a route followed by the average traveller and is tamilinr to most folk. It will not lc very satisfying from a developmental point of view to see the Minister keep only to the beaten track, and above all to cut out the far south visit. It is to he hoped there will lx? some possibility of the itinerary being revised to enable a more genuine tour of Westland taking place, and in particular that the far southern portion will he favoured with a personal visit. A correspondent from Dku.ru has been familiarising our readers of late with regard to the latest possibilities of far south, and most people will agree that a district of such potentialities am\ such promise -hould not he neglected. The Minister has been visiting out of th,? way places in the North Island, and having his eyes opened. If he were to visit Southern Westland and spend a little time looking into the tho natural resources of the district, he would be more than gratified, and ] the country would ho more than repaid i by the ultimate outcome of such a 1 visit of inspection. Then? is no doubt 1 about the possibilities of the south. The territory in its general feature is on a par with that of the north. It is a. great tract of country needing population and development. Air McLeod seems to have formed some idea that ' 1 the Crown Settlement Lands have been d absorbed. A visit south would cause 3 him to revise that view, and apart Ji

from the settlement aspect, there is the question of the timber atul mineral resources of ike far south. These are most extensive, and when developed "ill he a great source of wealth. The particulars which have been supplied to our readers from time to time oi tlio natural assets of the district, and the probabilities of a great yield when taken in hand, would he no less im-

pressive to the .Minister were he to study at close range the natural features of the district. The south is a country of remarkable promise. Wo see what is happening in the near south as settlement progresses and access improve.-. Further south there arc. features and facilities, and given tlio opportunity the district will ho

worthy of the attention given it. When the Minister conies this way we hope he will he induced to push as far south as possible, and sco for himself what are the rosiirees of the district, and the worthiness of the locality for a definite development, scheme.