The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated, the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1030

Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated, the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1030

PE OF GOOD CHEER

At the meeting of the Westland County Council on Tuesday afternoon, the debate on the Treasurer's Statement submitted to the members, took a rather pessimistic/ turn, so much so, that the Chairman (Mr Ward) felt impelled to refer to the trend of the remarks, and corrected the atmosphere which was being created, it was quite a surprising situation, for the Conn-

cil had, as the Chairman said, the best report on the County position ever placed beiore members 1 The fin- . anciai year, as our readers would have j discovered lor themselves, revealed a , very pleasant situation. Liabilities j were wiped oil the previous year and r rates reduced. Additional debts were i to be paid off this year, and a further , substantial reduction made in the rating. 'Jiie tone of the pessimists was . therefore difficult to appreciate, for there was no grounds as far as tiie - council’s position was concerned for so doleful a tale as was disclosed. 'lt was - particularly surprising to find Mr Murdo.li among those taking a jaundiced i, view of the general outlook for Westland. We doubt if Mr Murdoch was sincere in his attitude. At the . some time paradoxical as it may appear, we do not accuse him of insin- . cerity. Rather does it appear to us ne was following the bent of his (professional training in taking the side of the prosecution so as to bring out tne strong points of the defence. Mr Murdoch must know and realise that - the outlook of the district is not one to weep over. Rather must he realise i that it is an occasion to rejoice at the prospects generally being what they are in spite of the general situation of trading and commerce elsewhere. This is a year of promising achievement in Westland. An important financial mining company lias set about the expendiy ture of £70,000 in our midst immediately, work actually being started. s promising mining enterprise near Okarito will be operating this year, following a large outlay, the- amount of *vhich betokens full confidence. Close to Hokitika a large flaxlands proposir - tion is under way and within.the year (here will be a considerable,comnumity on the ground. We are at the end of a season practically, when settlers and producers realised a period of s good prices for their stock and com : modifies. Prices have dropped ait the moment but lambs for instance, were 1 quitted mostly at top prices, and South Westland never before sent out so many lambs in one season. Butter-fat is low now, but most of the factories sold to fair advantage, and the re- , turns as yet are not below cost of production. If by any chance they should tail lower, a combination of factories would cut down operating costs, and give the producer at any time two- , pence or more per pound for butt'erlat than is being received at present, k-.e fact that this amalgamation is not in vogue now is probably due to the good prices in the past, and that tiie lean times have not been experienced to cause a demand for real economy n. production. .In regard to local trade, building is far from stagnant. Dwellings are being erected and an East Coast firm is securing a better establishment in town. Hotel properties have firmed and are being traded at good prices. Sawmilling is affected by the Grey bar at present, preventing ready export of white pine to Australia. If the bar improves, some degree of the quiet time in milling, will also disappear. The New Zealand timber trade is depressed in the main, due to the imported article, but if the tariff were adjusted that stringency would pass, as indeed it is likely to pass when the year’s accounts are disclosed *\v the Minister of Finance and the proposals of the Budget are revealed. Hie great improvements of the main highways on which thousands have been spent, is bringing more traffic., Further, large expenditure for the year is scheduled by the Public Works Department for the year now entered upon, and the Government at least is not doubtful about the future of Westland.. There is a demand—a very justifiable one—for the extension of the railway south, and the’Government ( has just had 'a reoonnaisance survey ( made of the probable route of the J

line. Further south there is a great scheme afoot to* handle the vast timber areas in and about Okarito, and an emissary has been sent Home to raise money running into large figures for this great district development, which would carry with it the building ol a port at Okarito for oversea boats. All this and much more could bo said about the very bright prospects showing im the future of Westland. It is certain that land settlement will advance as the country is opened up. There is a move now in that direction, which means an increased permanent population of producers, and all of whom will contribute directly and indirectly to the County Fund. Tn the sixty-five years of the life of Westland we cannot recall a period when matters for an ns-

stined future 'looked brighter than they do to-day. ' There is no occasion to repine. By enterprise and steady advancement all things are possible. There is no land inflation here. No heavy debt for social needs. Private enterprise lias risked the cost of supplying electric light and power without any debt on the community, and tne whole district is free from heavy rates in consequence. Our view is tnat tiie public men have every reason lo be proud of their work, and pleased beyond measure with the promising outlook for the district. The people can afford to bo of good cheer.