The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1929. MINISTERS ON TOUR.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1929. MINISTERS ON TOUR.

I’jie member,s oi the new Government have been busy since the commencement oi the year touring the territory under their control, To many oi the .Ministers new to office, parts of the dominion were quite uiiaiiowu, and it was only reasonable that they should move about and see localities, so as io uc familiar with the situation as local requests cropped up. Ministers nave devoted a lair amount of time „(j the North Island, and the South island as far as the East Coast is con•ern.d, has not been neglected. Quite .•ecently Ministers lo.egathered in force, but it is to be regretted .none jf them are taking in the West Coast m their return north. So far only the Minister of Mines lias passed this way, and his visit was quite a fleeting one. In a very short time now Min..sters will have to settle down in their .dikes to prepare for the session. The government has to meet Parliament well prepared at all points. Many promises have been made and much is expected of the new Ministry. Before milling down to this all important task of working out a Liberal policy, we hope some of the Ministers will remember the West Coast and pass this way. In particular it would he very picasing to have a visit from the Prime

Minister, as well as train the Minister jf Public works and the Minister of Lunds. These are three Ministers who •ould bo very helpful to the Const and lo Westland in particular, and it is to ve hoped a visit will i:e possible in the near future and before Ministers have the valid excuse of settling down to their task at Wellington where policy measures have to he drafted. Mostland, as has been remarked before, is largely a Crown estate, there being so much Crown land up and down the Coast. Both Mr Ransom and Mr Forbes are agriculturalists, and it would be gratifying to have them this way to spy out the land and assist to promote settlement. There is talk of some cutting up of large holdings where the occupiers will accept a reasonable price, and such a move will help to place more people on the land. Westland is treating the occupiers very well where tin* land is being used to any advantage. The produce coming off the land is a steadily increasing quantity, and those on the land have the heart to carry on. They have realised what is required to assist production, and the returns now being derived indicate that their industry and initiative is being rewarded profitably. Settlement, and more .settlement, is what is required for Westland, which has so much room for more people. The opening of the road into South Westland is one of the best projects for the immediate public benefit. The land in the south needs access, and that afforded, settlement must grow apace. What is being done in the way of bridging open crossings on (lie existing roads in the south, is a boon greatly appreciated, not only for the benefit of ordinnrv settlement, but also to encourage tour, ist traffic. We quote to-day a eulogy of the Wailio Glacier from the pen of a recent visitor who extols the glacier as “the most beautiful tiling in the world.” "Westland has its twin rival ill the Fox Glacier, only a score of miles further south. What more legitimate request could there ho mode than to ask for those most beautiful scenic wonders to be made accessible for all. Privale enterprise in both cases lias provided excellent accommodation, and an improving road passes within two or three miles of these special olreets of beantv. But those two or three miles of road will require to he made to assure regular a "cess. With two such assets "Westland need not show any false modesty in the matter, .but lias everv right to demand the important road connections referred to. A Ministerial visit to the locality, and a proper explanation of the position should ensure the work being sanctioned. This i.s but one instance of the prospective value accruing bv a Ministerial visit at this juncture. Ollier matters in embryo will at once commend themselves if Westland is favoured by a visit from one or more of the

.Ministers wo have referred to, mid it is to lie Imped in the puliiie interests that siieli a visit will not he long delayed.