Development Of Westland

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26917, 18 December 1952, Page 8

Development Of Westland

The Westland County Council is to be congratulated on its imaginative proposal to strike a special rate over the whole Westland province as a fund to assist land development. It is to be hoped that the other local authorities support the project, and that the Government will give its full co-operation. This is an important matter for Westland, which cannot for ever remain a mining and timber district. It is also an important matter for New Zealand, because the last remaining considerable areas awaiting agricultural development are on the West Coast. The county council’s scheme is a modest one, well within the ability and powers of local authorities; but it is practical and useful. What is more important, it gives a useful lead to all interests. The Government must play the chief part in the closer settlement that Westland needs, particularly through the Lands Department and the Department of Agriculture. The former must take steps to see that large holdings- are not allowed to remain unproductive; and the latter will have to provide a larger field staff. But most Government agencies can give some help. If they tackle land development with the enthusiasm and enterprise shown by the Mines Department in its field, they can achieve a great deal. The best farms show what can be done with the favourable climate of the West Coast. It is only within the last 50 years that it was thought worth while to open the Waikato for closer settlement; and Sir William Polson has recalled his father’s comment on the Matamata district that “the “ Almighty must have had some “ special reason for creating such a “ desolate spot ”, Today the Waikato is one of the richest and most fertile districts in New Zealand. Westland has many assets, but none is greater than the faith of its people, of which the Westland county’s proposal is one more example. If the council can transmit some of this faith to the Government the progress of the West Coast should be assured.