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Hokitika Guardian, 9 July 1930, Page 4

Mention was made in the foregoing ns to the prospects for production expansion as development follows the opening up of the country. Westland, with its great range of Crown Lands has wonderful possibilities, forj there is reasonably cheap land waiting to be brought into profit, Mr O’Brien. M.P. is on right lines in seeking to have the Great South Road forged .south into Bruce Bay territory, and also in asking for the Jackson Bay country to be opened up for settlement, Both localities—the latter particularly—are rather remote and are not familiar to the public at large. Those aware of the extent of the country available, and comparing it with similar high-priced land in the North Island, must realise that if the areas had improved access, important developments would follow. By closer settlement {production would greatly increase, providing for a much larger population. There was a time when Waitaha, ITariliari and Wataroa were practically one man runs, hut with the road access available, and closer settlement, population and production have increased enormously. All the way south of Waiho there arc settlers scattered, who are engaged principally in cattle rearing for which necessarily large tracts of country are required. But if there were the conveniences for dairying, such as exist in the other settlements referred to, the era of prosperity would result. At Okuru it has been shown that dairying can be made a profitable venture, and we understand there is a wonderful valley following the Jackson river which could carry a large number of settlers if facilities in regard to roading and export were afforded. Hundreds of thousands of pounds are being spent ■to relieve unemployment in '.various parts of the Dominion, If some of the money, and .selected workers willing to go on the land were chosen for the. far south a new settlement could be established to add to the permanent wealth >if the ; count iy, West landers would be wise to wake up and realise the possilvliries of their own country, an deverv help should he afforded the Member >ov Westland in his advocacy cf the matter he has in hand. New Zealand needs avenues for work rind iottt 'merit to build up the future of the country, and in the far-south, stretching from Waiho to Jackson Bay, there is ample country to place more settlers, and so help to assure the future of the Dominion as a whole,.