The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporates the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1920 NO MAN’S LAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporates the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1920 NO MAN’S LAND.

|jii; report supplied to ilie Christchurch-“ Sun” by its special reporter in regard to the far south of Westland, only touched the fringe of idle question at issue, d efc at the same time there is a paragraph inserted in the article which supplies at once tlic keynote and the. incentive to positive action to bring South Westland into being. It is; i “It is a truth that prosperity follows tlio roads whether they be of rail or macadam, and no country is greater than its means of transport and communication. That is why ,South Westland is a back number; it is the roadless west, and retrogressive in spite of itself,” It Ik the lack of roading, the want of ready access, which holds flic district back. Until that outstanding want is supplied the district can hardly be expected to -prosper. Arid there is another obligation on the country. Crown lands have been thrown open for application, and much territory lias been .oeciiijiioclj. There is the duty cast on the Crown to afford access. In a town, no private holder may cut up areas for sections without providing in advance proper street access. How much more reason is there for the Crown to road its territory so that population will be attracted to the country to open it up, and not leave it to the people to flock to the centres where at least they have decent means of access. The first principle of any settlement scheme is the provision of adequate loading. The principle was applied at Cheviot. Elaxbounie. Kokatahi and other centres where land was cut ii]) for settlement. It is manifest that if people are to bo induced to go into the remote places to pioneer the country, and make it suitable lor steady development and the advent of industry and permanent prosperity, roading is a first essential. We have been told over and over again that South Westland is a replica of North Westland. There are similar features in the hush and rivers, the lakes and the high country. In North Westland. where roading access has been provided, • settlement has progressed apace. In South Westland where roads are lacking, the district has not progressed. The reason is obvious. No doubt it was the natural deduction from the facts of the position which led to the present scheme for roading the -far south being taken up so actively. To be a success it must he a progressive scheme, but the plans should he well laid, and the positive assurance held out of a definite object. Statesmen in the past have “regarded tbc union of Otago and Westland as a feasible proposition. A rail connection via TTaast Pass has been spoken of. That would achieve what a North Island paper described recently as the back door of Westland, becoming the front door of Otago, for the reason that Jackson Bay offered such a remarkable haven for shipping. It is a fact that to-day the Otago Expansion League i.s wedded to the desire to see a road linking Otago to Westland by way of the Haast Pass. If to that influential body the Westland Progress League can enlist the active support of the Canterbury Progress League, the question of roading the far south should become a very present possibility. It is never difficult to throw cold water on any progressive scheme. Tt is easy to find excuses when prone to take up a negative stand. But looking to the stretching territory in the south, and the rich endowment nature has given it in forest and mineral, those familiar with the possibilities of the country would be lacking in their duty as citizens were they to neglect attention to the furtherance of so great a district asset. South Westland is standing the test of time. The sons and daughters of pioneer settlers of sixty; years ago, are still in

the district, maintaining and bringing up families to their credit, and establishing comfortable homes. That is true citizenship. What is required are more people of a similar stamp in (he south, and the provision of decent access would assist to entice more settlers to the district.