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Hokitika Guardian, 3 January 1928, Page 2

The Mercantile Gazette which is usually a severe H'itic regarding matters financial, states there are good grounds for believing that 1928 will witness a return of prosperity to New Zealand. It is good to have this optimistic feeling broadcasted, for it will encourage the development of a brighter spirit as to prospects generally, and the will to succeed will have freer play. As was mentioned the other day, the immediate prospects for our own district give no cause for pessimism. We can re-

gard the prospects for the timber industry much more hopefully than at any period during the past year. This is specially gratifying, for there is no other work which so spreads employment as does the handling of timber. The settlers generally are also looking for improved returps this season, and in every case practically with increased output, Gold will encounter

some revival. In the Okarito (Tistrict there will lie developments. So, also, will there he in Waimea district. Prospecting is proceeding in other localities and an extension of operations is quite 011 the cards. 'The fact that hydro-electric power will be spreading its usefulness through various parts of north A\ estland is a factor in the general prospects not to he ignored. The Government is going to begin experiments with flaxgrowing in South Westland and there is a store of wealth yet to he drawn from various parts of \\ estland by converting the flax into hemp. Outside capital will probably be available for the industry in the south, and once attention is drawn to the matter and its prospects realised, favourable results may ho looked for. The loeid bodies will in the year now entered upon lie assisted more with their roads Ivy the increased revenue available from the petrol lax. As a consequence greater enterprise may be expected in regard to improved reading to carry the growing quantity of vehicle traffic. On all sides there is an improving outlook and the promise of a brighter year in trade and industry. Such being the case there is

every reason for ready co-operation among the people in order to retrieve the effect of the lean year which lias passed. With entranced confidence and a courageous spirit, there is every possibility of the present being a notable year for Westland.