The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1929. AN OPPORTUNITY.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1929. AN OPPORTUNITY.

Tutim; appears to lie an opening at this juncture with tlie new Government in power, lor an ellort to establish more settlement in the far south. 'I he Minister of Lands is seeking lor land for settlement, and has invited holders of large areas to place land under offer at a reasonable price. I here are some large holdings in the south, in addition to which there are great tracts of Crown lands, as well as large areas if timber-bearing lands. A development scheme in the tar south should he a prolitahle undertaking, if carried through on the lines the Minister has indicated. The territory could he settled progressively hv clearing the timher for export, and settlement could proceed hand in hand. 'I here is the desire of the far s >uth people for the reading of the Jackson llay-Oburn district. A road line has linen laid off. and is possible ol use:in service it s “l' tk-rnent were establish'd aluis? the route. Jackson l’av provides a splendid shipping outlet, and useful work could he done in constructing roads to serve such a settlement scheme. The

land values are low because of the isolation, and the lack of access about the district. The immediate locality of Okuru can never he expected to nourish unless it is roailod. Had any of the settlements in the north been lacking in reading facilities, as the Okuru district is, they would be equally nackward. '1 iie loading of Kokatainkoiterangi, Waitaha, Harihari, Wataroa, etc., was the making of those settemenLs. Kq unity so will Okuru district progress if it has road facilities. ihe road linking the settlement with Jackson Huy will supply an outlet ior the produce of the district. With liio'Lor transport toe distance is not ol

any serious consideration. We can see Imw motor transport servos other settlements in the south. By means of motor vehicles the rail-head at Boss is reached quickly, and the transport facilities are a boon to settlers. The export of sheep and lain!) from Wailio north is an example of what good wading can do for successful settlement. It oas given the district a great fillip and widened the sources for more stock production. If the same thing were to happen at Okuru with export facilities via Jackson flay, a remarkable improvement in settlement conditions would come to pass in the far south. Hie project is one to be taken up actively, particularly as there is a government in power bent on establishing more settlement. The southern proposition offers Air Forbes a splendid example for a trial of his scheme. There is so much Crown lands in the area, that no initial cost for land purchase is involved, while reaping the timber harvest available will provide money to extend the scheme. Settlement where established in Westland and supplied with fair means of access, flourishes. The far south is like territory, and it should be equally responsive. If the people are helped on to the land as the Minister proposes, a very useful settlement should spring up. More population in. the far south would add to the general prosperity of Westland, and that would reflect itself in other parts. The Crown has a great estate in Westland, and to neglect its development is to miss a certain factor contributing to improved times for the district. Such an opportunity 'as now presents itself should he seized, iml the project pressed upon the notice >f the Minister for his personal and >ra tieal attention. It appears to he i great opportunity to assist in ad vancing Westland by leans and boTTnds by the creation of a new settlement in the far south.