Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1923. MINISTER’S VISIT.

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 November 1923, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1923. MINISTER’S VISIT.

The Hon. J. G. Coates will be awaited on during his visit to the Coast by many deputations, and if all. the requests are not granted, previous experience with this Minister proves that he endeavours to be as kindly' as he can. Mr. Coates is always a welcome visitor, quite apart from any favours he may be able to confer, and his success as a Cabinet Minister is recognised here as elsewhere. That is one reason why it is expected that he will effect reforms in the Railway Department. The State Railways have their special difficulties, not adequately recognised by all critics, but most of the public think' that there is too great a regard for precedent and former departmental standards, and insufficient recognition that new days demand new methods. Christchurch deputations have already urged on the Minister certain suggestions re freight adjustments on the Midland line, and most of these suggestions Coasters endorse. The argument seems poor that al- , though circumstances make it wise < to give special treatment Io the Midland traffic, this must not be done because other parts of the ' Dominion would therefore be ’ jealous. If the latter districts’ J cases are not strong in themselves it should be as easy to decline their requests as it is to accede Io the ( Canterbury-Westland claims. For ’ years, Coasters had to pay heavily j because of the lack of rail com- 1 mimical ion. thus it would be jus- 1 tiee only were extra benefits now 1

granted. At any rate, there would be no harm in trying the experiment for a year or so of .special freights on the Midland line. Local services in Westland and Inangahua could be greatly improved, and whilst on the subject of railways, the Minister’s attention can be called to the absence of a “birdcage” carriage on the East-West expresses. The line is important enough for the best of equipment, and a “birdcage” on each express would be a real boon to many travellers. The Minister will have again brought before him the question of a grant from the Railway Department to the Borough Council towards the cost of the Onioto bank protection works. It is known that Air. McVilly’s opposition to such grant is the main reason why it is withheld, but ordinary equity demands that the Borough should be paid a fail* amount. Greymouth is financially harassed and cannot afford to be unduly generous to the Department. We appeal on behalf of the citizens to the Minister urging him to .use his influence to have the clear debt paid. The number of requests to be made to Mr. Coates may be unusual, but each, if treated on its merits, should be given favourable consideration. The Coast in general, and Greymouth in particular, has been neglected so long that arrears are heavy, and Grey should not be made to suffer because of former administrative apathy. Some of the matters to be brought before Air. Coates are not strictly within the scope of the Departments he controls, and the Grey Valley farmers’ request that the Waimaunga State Farm should, be modernly equipped, is perhaps one

of these, but Air. Coates would render tlie district a service, if he emphasised on the Alinister of Agriculture the advisability of his own early visit to the Coast, to see for himself the local needs. The State Farm on the Coast should specialise more on dairying, as the prospects for this part of the Dominion are undoubtedly bright, and any encouragement from the State will prove a wise investment.