The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 1930. TRESPASSING ON PRESERVES.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 January 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 1930. TRESPASSING ON PRESERVES.

It lias been observed before that the Greymouth evening paper is disposed 10 be rather jealous of Hokitika. Once in a while the green-eyed monster rears its head and looks askance at the ewe lambs which are the possession of the southern borough. Tins is not done in a spirit of civic rivalry, but rather in an effort to outdo its neighbour by any means so long as success crowns the effort. Lately our contemporary has been perturbed about an appointee to the Legislative Council. A vacancy is alleged and it is thought .that a Greymouth man should bli the position. An actual nomination is not made, consequently an opinion cannot be passed on the choice, but until the choice is disclosed, there is a. difficulty in the mind in realising whether Greymouth. will be able to fill the position at all adequately. Another phase of its jealousy is in respect to the location of the electoral officer. Just because Hokitika has been chosen and has filled the position veinadequately in the' past, Greymouth is jealous and seeks ,to filch the officer from the south. We.suppose were the “Grey Star” published in New York, it would be casting a jealous eye at Washington, or if it were a Sydney publication, Canberra would require to look to its laureiks. In the days of old the discriminating pioneers of the time, made-Hokitika the capital of the province, and though the provincial boundaries have disappeared, the provinces nominally remain, and in this instance Hokitika continues the capital of Westland. The town also continues the centre for other Government departments, and a»s there are over 200 miles of Westland- south of Hokitika, tne town proves a very convenient centre for all concerned, Hokitika has proved very satisfactory indeed over a long term. The furthest polling oooth south is upwards of 200 miles from Hokitika, and that is surely remote enough to work with success. The omduotof the elections in the past has left nothing to be desired in the public interests, and- that is the essential paru of the working to be taken into account. On the face of things the ‘'Greymouth Star” evidently seeks for a little local notoriety, but there is not any guarantee matters will be more convenient or work more smoothily, and to attempt a change in the ■•lrcumstarices would be conducive for possible misjudgment. In' another in-sta-nc-e we believe there have been misgivings by those in high places about conducting important business in Greymouth, and at times serious concern as to the future if the same disposition continues. It is not necessary to elaborate this point, but merely to recall it as a reminder of the advantage of leaving well alone. The two towns might well be left by the Government to work out their own destiny. Hokitika is not jealous of any progress In Greymouth—rather pleased in fact, because there is always a reflection of the prosperity this way. Probably Hokitika is happiest in working out its own destiny. Its people- seem to have the disposition to create an affable atmosphere, and the result is a contented people carrying on in a loyal way the discharge of their civic responsibilities, But the people tvill resent the attempt to trespass on local preserves and appropriate local institutions which are well managed, and serve the public purpose admirably. The Government will be content, we are persuaded, with a well conducted electoral department locally, and on that account :i change- to suit the jealous whim of the “Greymouth Star” is not likely to be entertained seriously.

been recalled before, and may be mentioned again, that the gold discoveries, first in Otago and later in Westland, were a wonderful lever in peopling New Zealand at a time when population was most needed. These islands were so remote in those days of communication from centres of population, and industry and development here were so slow, that tlieie was not the attraction lor populnt.on. 'With the discovery of the easily won alluvia] gold, people flocked to New Zealand, and the gold-fields were soon over-run. That great influx may be considered the starting point in the real progress of New Zealand. And not only were people drawn here in thousands, but oil the whole they proved excellent settlers, and with youth and vigour set about the building up of this very fine country, and their work has not been in vain. New Zealand therefore owes a great deal to alluvial gold mining, and in the interests of all concerned, one wonders that little or nothing in a comprehensive way is being done to maintain the industry. It is hard to believe that all tne alluvial gold has been won, and if it is agreed that it lias not, it is difficult to understand why more is not being done to probe the secrets of nature to reveal the hidden stores of treasure. The late Mr Seddon was on right lines when he set about studying the problem through expert geologists, hut his successors were fainthearted about the matter, and no Minister of Mines has since grappled with the question with any determination or fixed plan to succeed in reviving the industry. With the debt that the country owes to gold-mining and out of the great wealth won by the efforts of the miners, surely something substantial could be set as.de year by year in the effort to promote and develop the future of the industry, The spasmodic efforts which have been made by State* help have evidently not been on right lines. More information must he sought from the geologist, and definite effort along co-ordinated lines, should be made. The effect of a gold rush nowadays would be as magic applied to the unemployed issue. A very large sum is outgoing for relief works, . nil a portion of that diverted to legitimate prospecting on scientific lines, might be of service in locating fresh alluvial deposits. The whole question of State control of the gold mining industry is in need of revision in the endeavour bv fresh methods to revive the industry and give it the outstanding importance it is possible for it to assume in relation to the progress of New Zealand On such lines there is room for an active mining policy in the Dominion.