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Hokitika Guardian, 21 August 1926, Page 2

f-r is a curious paradox that oil, whose primal quality is to make things run easily, has of late years, says an exchange. developed into 011 cof the greatest causes of international friction. To throw oil upon the troubled sea is a phase which has lost its proverbial point as far at least as political and diplomatic waters are concerned ; for the mere mention of the word is almost sufficient to-day, it seems, to move those waters to a more violent commotion than ever. In other "Olds, oil, which was once a burning question in a literal sense only, has now become one in the accepted metaphor as well. As an ilhuuinant oil is now almost a back number, while even as a lubricant its importance is negligible compared with that with which its virtue as a power-producing agent has clothed it. The world wants oil, not to throw a light upon its paths, hut to drive its engines over.them; and so vast has become its value in this respect, and so great an asset is it to the country able to produce it or obtain it. that tiic struggle for its possession and exploitation is becoming fiercer every day. Agriculture and transport arc the primal industries of every nation; and it. is a fact,that to both of them oil has become a .supreme necessity, and the adjective “essential. - ’ n.s supplied to it and them, lias taken on a new and curiously appropriate significance. The, nation that is without oil is helpless. a fact which was made clear beyond dispute by the Great War. ‘- r lhe Allies,” said Lord Curzni. not so long ago, in a memorable but somewhat mixed metaphor, “rode to victory on a flood of oil.”

The most satisfactory provision in tiro Public Works Estimates for Westland is the £SOOO set down for the Waiho river bridge. It is understood this much needed structure will he available for traffic early in-the New Year, and no doubt steps will he taken to open the bridge with a special ceremony. It is the portal to the far south trip, and the provision for a safe and sure crossing will he most acceptable and give further heart to the settlers in the remote purls of the south. Another bridge of interest to Ire erected on the main south road, but which does not, appear on the Public Works Estimates, being a highway vote, is the bridge at Dry Creek. The plans for this bridge arc now approved, and the material is to be ordered. The bridge will he erected just below the main road, and will not he of undue length. The special feature .about -it will bo tlie approaches built up on tlic river bed, but it is hoped by confining the stream under the bridge that the creek will cut a deeper channel and so cause less trouble in flood time. The list of road works contains a fair amount of new money for the district, the south and Kokntalii districts being specially well treated. The Govefnmont is making more demands this year on local body funds by including a number of subsidy votes. Complaint, however, may well be made at the poor attention given to the tourist resorts in Westland. Out of a £35,000 vote for the Dominion, only £450 is set down for erection of huts at the southern glaciers. Thousands of pounds are provided for Rotorua, and other tourist centres in the North Island, hut the consideration for the West Coast is trifling indeed. The protest Mr Soddon made recently in Parliament on the subject was evidently fully necessary. As to the Estimates generally for the Dominion the financial provision is a million pounds more than was expended last year, but it remains to be seen if tlie same volume of expenditure will l>e kept rip. As regards tlie West Coast road district of £57,721 voted a year ago £30,925 was expended within the financial year. This year the provision for roads etc. is £12,062, so that it will be seen there is a more modest volume of expenditure intended. It is one thing to have the money voted, and another to get it expended quickly. Some of tly works provided for a year ago are still unauthorised, which suggests that money is not too plentiful, despite the liberal rate of borrowing. However the authorities will he expected to do their best and account for all the works possible in the time.