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Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1927, Page 2

Tite justification for urging greater development in regard to Southern Westland appears to be well supported bv the evidence at hand as to the material prospects of the district. Mr Am cry's remarks in regard to the tourist attractions of the southern district has never presented jtsfcjf before, ntid n golden

opportunity will be lost if the most is not made of the occasion. What Mr Atnerv has said publicly should not only be kept on record for ready reference, but should be broadcasted, for bis eulogy of the beauties of South Westland will attract many Scores of visitors to our district, if they can bo only made aware of the delights awaiting them. Two Ministers of the Crown are to visit the south early in the New Year on official business connected with their departments, hut the tourist possiblities of the south should not he lost sight of on that occasion. It appears to be the general rule for expenditure in connection with tourist traffic to bo reserved for favored localities. Nothing very lavish is ever attempted where Westland resorts are brought to notice. That policy needs changing, and one way to effect an alteration is to impress Ministers individually so that when tho subject is brought before Cabinet flie obligation will be oil more than one Minister to speak in the national interests regarding the prolific attractions of Westland. So much for the present for tourist development in the south. One of the visiting Ministers to he with ns shortly is specially interested in forestry, and the other in land. Both we hope will find much to interest them in South Westland. With the development of Okarito Har. hour, is bound up a great expansion in the timber trade, and it is essential that the Minister should have a personal knowledge of the local conditions. So too. with the opening up of the Crown lands in the south, it appears to bo high time that the Minister should have the direct knowledge and the personal touch with the possibilities. More reading is requisite, and it is hoped the Alinistor will spare enough time to permit. of a comprehensive tour. Tt is not sufficient to follow only the main highway. Side excursions are necessary to see the requirements, and this it, is hoped, will be possible to take. There is need for a concentrated effort in regard to more development in the south, and that effort should be made wholeheartedly now.