The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1931. DEVELOPMENT OF WESTLAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 November 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1931. DEVELOPMENT OF WESTLAND.

The public works expenditure in common \yitii all other classes of expenditure is to be curtailed. This is probably specially necessary because of the shortage of loan money. There i's also the impress now on the Government', that thii ola-is of expenditure should show some regard for possible or probable reproduction. With certain railway works removed from the list, there will be one’ branch of expenditure a,t least possible to curtail readily, though it should be possible now to hasten to speedier conclusion, approved railway works in hand, so as the quicker to be, fully ’reproductive. The saving on railway works which are stopped should also help road and bridge construction of prospective value to the country. There is every reason now to expect more substantial progress with the Great South Road destined to penetrate into Otago. On th© Westland .section there is the opportunity now to make a rapid advance With the work, if only essential Ridges were constructed south of Weheka. Two bridge's' at least would open up motor access to’ a long stretch ■f flat country where settlement would expand if conditions for transport were easier: Stock raising is the only branch of farming which may be pursued because only produce which can walk out is at all profitable due to the high cost and delay of transport under present oondlitions. When Mr Coates was formerly Minister of Public Works lie was impressed with the need for pushing on work, and ma-de provision for a commencement. Those steps gave the settlers hope, and they are now looking forward to the carrying out of the policy then propounded. At the moment, the construction of two large bridges is an essential part to material progress, and with .pro- | vision for the initial expenditure for | the ’’’Fox river and Cook river bridges on the Estimates, the folk most directly interested in the opening of permanent road access will be encouraged to further develop their holdings. Those settled in the district to be served have been long resident in tTie locality. They have pioneered the settlemnet, and Itheir work justifies the extension of good loading. The reading of more settled districts in Westland has advanced substantially of late, but, in the far south very little has/been done in the way or' better access. The requisite attention is therefore well overdue, and the reading advanced, permanent results will be possible. ,The present is an opportune time to draw attention.’ to ; the special requirements of the south because the Government is asking for the undertaking of works which will be useful from the developmental point of view, in order to absorb surplus labour. In the south, there are great tracts of Grown lands, and it would be a step in the right direction to further the improvement of the Crown estate. The further the south road .-penetrates, the more Crown lands will be brought into usie and profit, so that from the point of national development the work advocated has a special value to the djuntry at large. There should be every confidence, therefore, in urging this national work upon the attention of the authorities who might be. ex--1 pected to make the building of the road part of the national policy as building up the settlement of a considerable area, of Crown lands at present largely neglected, and its resources except for the tracts of,native forest, practically unknown. When it is realised how much the upper part of the southern district has developed by reason of good leading, there is a well founded hope that the advancement of the lower half will be no less pronounced when served equally well by a good arterial road and usefully connected district roads. The country is now ready for 'such practical development.