Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1939. INJUSTICE !

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 July 1939, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1939. INJUSTICE !

JT is doubtful whether there is any district in the Dominion that is more parochial—using the word in its non-offensive sense — than Buller. So far as fighting for what they regard as their rights is concerned, the spokesmen of Westport can give points and a beating to many of their compatriots in larger centres. Whether in the fields of commerce, sport, or anything else, the policy of “Buller first, last, and all the time” is pursued enthusiastically, and it has certainly brought results. It is noticeable on occasions, however, that district enthusiasm is apt to run to extremes, with a consequent loss of the sense of proportion, leading to rather exaggerated claim's. The fact that the Member for the district is no less a person than a prominent Cabinet Minister has no doubt given additional volume to the roaring of the Buller “lions,” on the lines of ask and ye may receive. Jealous outsiders may be forgiven for suggesting that, if Mr. Webb had not been interested. the pakihi lands would still be in their virgin state, and that the recent land-clearing and “bulldozing” demonstration would not have been staged. It is, therefore, somewhat painful to note that, in the eyes of the Westport “News,” the beloved “Paddy” Webb has fallen from his pedestal, at least temporarily. In his capacity as Minister of Mines, the Member for Buller has been rash enough to ma kt 1 statements which must, in the opinion of ihe Westport journal, have a damaging effect upon that fair town. j

Remarks which have aroused indignation in the breasts of Westportians formed portion of the Ministerial explanation of. the threatened shortage in supplies of coal from the West Coast, for consumers in other parts of New Zealand. Mr. Webb said that this unfortunate state of affairs was partly accounted for by shipping holdups on the West Coast. This was all right, but the Minister, with regrettable lack of tact, made the serious mistake of putting Westport and Greymouth in the same boat, as equally responsible for the delays. All “het up” over the insult, the “News” declares that there is no comparison between the two ports, pointing out “it is seldom that Westport is unworkable, and then it may be for only a tide or two at the most,” while “several vessels have been held up for prolonged periods at Greymouth.” This brings the Buller writer to his counter-attack, and it is alleged that what blockages have occurred at Westport are due, in some measure at least, to the failure of the Government to carry out its pre-election pledges concerning the harbour. A new dredge was promised, with the idea of working in the lagoons, creating a greater scour, and thereby deepening the bar; also, it was hoped, to prepare for the erection of wharves, in view of the probable establishment of steel works at Westport. There’s the rub. Not only has Mr. Webb cast reflections upon the harbour of his constituents, but he has so far failed, in his role as Buller advocate, to produce the new dredge, to say nothing of a new industry! The position is not improved by the knowledge that Grey mouth is on the way to securing a modern dredge, which will also combine the duties of a tug, although Greymouth does not aspire to heights such as steel works, to say nothing of land-clearing demonstrations. Westland will no doubt feel great sympathy for Buller, and regret that its own drawbacks in the direction of a bar harbour have been the cause of what are described as “unwise, damaging statements” concerning the northern port. As a practical expression of sympathy, the Member for Westland may do the generous thing, and prevail upon his Labour colleague to make the amende honorable. Nothing less than a public retraction will apparently soothe the injured feelings in Westport, and, as some compensation, it may be suggested that Mr., Webb should gain Cabinet approval for a brand-new dredge, and the allocation of a steel works site; otherwise, he seems likely to be given “the works” when he next visits his constituents. Meanwhile, Greymouth will manage to carry on, without benefit of Ministerial assistance, at the same time wishing Westport continued progress.