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Hokitika Guardian, 24 September 1926, Page 2

In the last 25 years the character o! New Zealand lias changed, says the Welington correspondent of the "Manchester Guardian.” In 1901 it was still a young pioneering country, living with very much the simple life, with wealth evenly distributed, nobody , very rich and few poor. The horse was the means of locomotion, and it was largely a country of horsemen. The country life w.ns one of the pleasantest anywhere in the world for its unaffected simplicity and homely comfort. The coming of the motorcar set new standards, broke up the solidarity of the country districts and emphasised class distinctions. The war made possible the accumulation of ample fortunes and the growth of a sort of landed aristocracy. All this leaves the older I>eop!e with many regrets for the past. They see little in the display of the country’s enhanced wealth to compensate for the companionable old simplicity of an earlier day. Meanwhile the towns have grown apace, not only the I four chief cities—Wellington. Auckland. Christchurch, and Dunedin —but also the numerous secondary and smaller towns, from 25,000 down to 1000 inhabitants. These are practically all equipped to-day with complete water supply, drainage, electric light and gas. Against their attractions the country life, with the zest of pioneering gone and prospects of making fortunes dim. has little to offer, and there is the same urge to the towns here as is noticeable all over the "Western world. This view unfortunately bears out the opinion expressed in this column earlier in the week that the pioneering spirit which' seftled South Westland in the times past, is dving out, and some fresh incentive will he necessary to induce people to go into the hack country. Perhaps the lure of a gold rush might do the trick, hut un-

fortunately again, there are no prospectors out in the wilds seeking for tho ihidden auriferous treasure awaiting the enterprising spirit. But we must keep on in good faith hoping for the best.