The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1927. THE MINISTERIAL VISIT.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 March 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1927. THE MINISTERIAL VISIT.

* Bum’ uis was the visit of the Ministei I of .Mines oil .Monday, the occasion served to emphasise the importance of the electric scheme about to he developed - for .North Westland. The discussion he twee 11 the .Minister and the members of the Power Board showed that the importance of the occasion was realised, and that there was abroad a feeling of optimism as to the ultimate result. -Mr Anderson, in particular stressed the point that the district was acquiring a very cheap source of power, the introduction of which should be material aid I to progress. We believe it will. There I was evidence of this in a later statement of the Chairman of the Board that he knew of an industrial project iikely to go forward in the district once cheap power was available. We may be sure that in a district such as this, where there is room for industrial expansion, that the provision of cheap [lower will offer the opportunity to supply the first essential in opening up new industries. It is a development much to be hoped for. Koference has been made to the good work done by the Board in carrying through the project for the benefit of the district. It would appear, however, that our neighbours in the north are not pleased with our prospective good fortune. In particular the (Irev District Power Board takes up a most peculiar attitude. Some of the members of that Board have worked themselves into a state of fury about a condition <• affairs which for tiie greater part is imaginary. Their imnginaton lias had full play about all sort of possibilities and probablities, when a simple enquiry to the Westland Power Boar would have told them exactly where they were and what was being done. There was nothing serious or Mysterious about the whole matter, hut business is business, and at certain stages it is not desirable to proclaim from the housetops all that is going on. Bn , and courteous enquiry from the Grey Board would have been met with all the information that was desired. Instead, it has been the custom to treat the Westland Board with suspicion, i while the Grey Board was not above i going behind the Westland Hoard in i the attempt to get. in first. This o< ' eurred last year when some of the < members were in Wellington negotiat- < jng for special legislation, they renewed f

overtures for the purchase of the race (as was reported in the press at the lime) notwithstanding the agreement with the West land Hoard. And having taken that, line of action, they ilrii ceased their communication v. nh the Westland Hoard, and pursued their own. imv, creating a bogey which has served the good purpose of being a grievances ever since. However, no amocnt rf recrimination will alter the present position, and our friends after the plain statement Hum ill" Minister, should drop any further sinister agitat ion against the Westland Rower Hoard, which has by all rca-on. the first lie'll t) the Use of the property for legitimate purposes. That right the Westland Hoard has taken up and is pioereding to use for the benefit of Hie people as a whole in a manner which will give the public what is roipiired in the most economical and practical way. The Westland Hoard, has discharged ils duly in the matter with a full sense of the responsibility upon it to tlie people served, and the way matters are shaping at this .stage promise to quickly demonstrate that lari. The Board had a legitimate duly to discharge, ami it has discharged it legitimately, and oil surprisingly good terms to the ratepayers concerned, and to tiic nub’ie. who will ultimately use the power.