THE PROSPEROUS SOUTH

Evening Star, Issue 16992, 14 March 1919, Page 6

THE PROSPEROUS SOUTH

MAYOR. LUKE’S IMPRESSIONS. Mr J. P. Luke, 0.M.G., M.P., Way of of Wellington, has just returned homo from an extensive tour of the South Island as a member of the Parliamentary Industries Commission, and in _ conversation with a ‘ Post ’ reporter ho said it was extremely gratifying to note tho general prosperity in both town and country. While In Christchurch, ho said, he had every opportunity of studying the conditions of the district there, both as regards the primary and secondary industries, and he was extremely impressed until the_ extensive benefits which, had been derived from the power generated from Labe Coleridge. The greatly-increased facilities had meant much to Canterbury, particularly in the country, where a plentiful supply of electricity had had wonderful results. The country looked particularly good; and the same might be said of ►tago, although Dunedin had nob made the same advancement as the other cities of the Dominion. While there was evidence of undoubted soundness and well-estab-lished concerns, there was also evident the need of some special uplift to industry, which he hoped would be brought about ns a result of the deliberations ot the committee. The farming communities in Otago were well forward, and generally there was a feeling of gratitude that tlie season had been a satisfactory one. In the Southland district Mr Duke found, as_ he had found in other parts of the Dominion, that the people were clamoring for tho establishment of a hydro-electrio undertaking. In fact, he might say that the seme feeling was very pronounced throughout the I province. While in the districts surrounding Oamaru and Timnrn—the grain-grow ing districts —ho found that the crops generally had been very satisfactory, although earlier in the season the reverse was reared. A great deal of evidence was baleen by tho committee regarding tho wheat-growing activities, and tho report, ho hoped, would be in tne direction of indicating, not only the duty of tho State to the fanner, but to the public as well. There was a certain community nf interest in connection with wheat-growing, and the problems must be faced in such a manner that the public, and not only the grower, will receive due consideration. It was a national question of primary importance. In both Oamaru nnd t Timaru Mr Luke found that a very optimistic note was struck by the citizens, who generally displayed a feeling of comfort and satisfaction regarding the future