WEST COAST’S FUTURE

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 February 1943, Page 2

WEST COAST’S FUTURE

FOSTERING NEW INDUSTRIES REHABILITATION PLANS. A new future foi' the West Coast as an area of rich productivity, exploited on a wise basis in the national interest and utilising its own raw resources on the spot to provide a stable economy, not merely in the immediate post-war years, but for decades to come, was envisaged at an important conference held in Greymouth this morning. Called by the Mayor of Greymouth (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham) to consider the prospect of adequate rehabilitation for men of the forces after the war in the light of the Coast’s peculiar resources, and taking into account the problems of communication and finance, the conference was probably the most important summoned for many years. Sub-committees were set up to deal with various aspects of the situation, and in five weeks’ time these will 'report to an Executive Committee, thus giving substance to the air of confidence which. pervaded the proceedings. „ The Mayor of Greymouth (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham) presided, also present being Mrs. A. H. McKane and Mr. T. S. Shaw (Rehabilitation Committee); Messrs. W. B. Gilbert and D. S. Kennedy (Greymouth Harbour Board): J. Ryall, M.L.C., J. Mulcare. H. G. Carter and J. Higgins (Grey County Council); E, W. Kennedy and J. Luff (Runanga Borough Council) ; J. Smeaton (Brunner Borough Council); A. R. Elcock, D. P. Stewart, C. Cagliari (Hokitika Borough Council); T. P. O’Neil, C. W. Stoop, W. T. Bond, D. J. Evans (Westland County Council): K. O. May (Ross Borough Council); B. King (Commissioner of Lands); H. Herring (Greymouth Borough Council); F. J. Perham (Commissioner of Forests); J. Vallance, G. Pitman (Farmers Union); F. Turley (Timber Workers’ Union); W. F. Harley (Automobile Association); and A. B. Spiers (Kumara Borough Council). Mr. Kitchingham, welcoming the delegates, said the Coast had not looked to its industry as it might have done. Rehabilitation, of course, was associated with the establishment of industries. The impending loss ol industries in the Grey district was apparent, resources being worked out, and no doubt the whole Coast was m a similar position. There were miles of roads,’ railways and power lines running through districts which were absolutely unproductive, though in the past' they had flourished, The area to Jackson’s Bay represented one-sixtieth of the population of the Dominion, while the acreage was onesixteenth—a big disparity. Perhaps the provision of emergency landinggrounds for planes could be initiated, though the Government should formulate a national plan. However, a long-term policy should be implemented to give the returned men and their families the standard of living to which they were entitled. First on the list of such projects should be the handling of erosion. The forestry policy on the Coast had been a tragedy, for though sawmilling had been operating for 80 years and State forests covered 3000 miles, the experimental station had not operated successfully, and experiments for growing exotic trees had practically ceased. Instead of only one type of soil being tried, all types should be the subject of experiment. It appeared that much could be done with respect to the coal mining industry and the utilisation of by-products, such as fire clay. Farming had not made the progress expected 30 or 40 years ago. there being huge economic difficulties. The question of settling returned men on the land was ol great importance, and suitable blocks available at a reasonable figure should be pointed out to the Government. There was no reason why the tourist industry should not expand greatly; in 1939, 6,500 persons had booked in at the Franz Josef Glacier, besides 1000 campers. The utilisation of forest waste, second growth, and non-forest trees should be explored The renewal of old industries was of importance, notablv flax, from which fine quality paper was obtainable. It would seem there was scope for the manufacture of sanitary and agricultural pipes. If a soap industry were established it would be 01. economic benefit, while possibly something could be done with the greenstone. The emphasis, said Mr. KitcnIngham, should be on the utilisation of the Coast’s own raw resources. Mr. May said it would be wise to draw a broad line between proposals merely for the advantage of the district and those for the rehabilitation of the returned men, who should be placed in industry instead of being converetd into labourers ana navvies. WESTLAND PROPOSALS

The following proposals were tabled by the Westland County:— Land Protection and Development. —Soil erosion and river protection. Much could be done economically with bulldozers in control of rivers, and preventing recurrent erosion. Suggest land settlement areas suitable for returned men. Desirable to obtain report of establishment of tne flax industry. Reafforestation, with suggestion to plant Australian hardwood trees, known to flourish on tne Coast, also an experimental redwood plantation. y , ~ Public Works.—Completion ot the Westland-Otago-Southland Highway (already promised). Railway extension south, Ross to Wataroa. Industrial. —Consideration of wood-

.pulping in South Westland. Construction of stable landing at Bruce Bay. Government to encourage fish-canning works at J ac kson Bay. Government to consider the utilisation of increasing seal colonies in southern waters. Quarterly leports to be compiled and published of stock and dairy production, timber output, gold returns and other items indicatmSjJin°inge —Mineral deposits, to be examined by research parties. Known reefs at Styx Divide and at Wataioa to be investigated. Tourist. —Greater publicity ioi tourist resorts, including West Coast Sounds, to attract overseas visitors. Commercial.—Relieve West Coast goods traffic of special Otira Tunnel rate (in force for the past 20 years). “STICKING TOGETHER” Mr Herring said he was afraid the meeting might drift away. from tne real purpose. It should leave roads and so on to the local bodies, but be united in seeing a ‘■fair chance was I obtained of establishing new industries. Now was the opportunity lor initiating “industries galore by “sticking together.” In Greymouth Mr Peters had been given a license for slipper manufacture, but an Australian company and a Timaru firm had been given the manufacture, ana he could not obtain material. Mr Turley suggested that a representative committee be appointed, which could set up its own sub-com-mittees, thus avoiding any risk oi parochialism. The timber industry could be placed on a firm footing by selecting better areas for afforestation. He thought, too, that machinery should be installed by the Government, if necessary, to cut timber at correct lengths instead of continuing the present wasteful methods. He did not think that, the mills north of Greymouth would last more than la years, but there were large areas in South Westland to be opened up. Mr May moved that coal, forestry, farming, flax and other new industry committees be set up. the chairmen to comprise the central committee. Mr E. W. Kennedy said he thought the coal industry was the most essential on the Coast, which Dominion its only black coalfield. It was criminal to use the coal as a fuel, while 20 to 25 per cent, of the brown lignite coal was washed away to sea. He thought representations should be made to the Government to establish a secondary industry in regard to coal. Mr Smeaton supported Mr Kennedy and suggested that a Coal Committee should include men of technical experience. . . . Mr May amended his motion, giving the committees power _to add. Mr O’Neil seconded it, and it was carried. Mr. Mulcare stressed that the new movement should be in the nature oi a Progress League, prepared to fight the competition which was certain to accrue from outside interests and monopolies. He believed that great savings could be made in the mining industry by improved methods, while he was confident of the future of the farming industry. He was satisfied that a great deal of despised birch country would carry two beasts to the acre. Mechanisation would be of immense help. Mr. Vallance suggested that the R.S.A. could play a part in placing men on the land to the end that they be given freehold rights. Mr. King promised to give every possible co-operation consistent with his duty to the Lands Department. However, there was a limit, to what could be done on the land in Westland. Big difficulties, including sale of produce, would have to be met after the war. In the fisst month of the war the Lands Department had commenced an investigation of property for the returned men. An immense amount of data had been secured. He thought Westland could provide work for 200 men for four years in improving lands on a subsidy basis. The following committees were initiated: — Coal Committee:—Mr. Smeaton and Mr. E. W. Kennedy to arrange. Forest Committee: —Mr. Perham (convener), Mr. Turley, Mr. May, Mr. Stewart and Mr. Herring. Farming Committee:—Mr. Vallance (convener), Mr. Mulcare, Mr. Bond, Mr. O’Neil. K „ Flax Committee: —Mr. Marshall (convener), Mr. Whiley, Mr. Ryall. Other new industries: —Mr. Kitchingham (convener), Mr. Elcock, Mr. Evans, Mr. King. These committees have power to add, the men named forming the nucleus in each instance. Mr. Kitchingham was appointed Chairman of the Executive Committee of which the chairmen of the above five committees will be . exofficio members. Mr. O’Brien (Minister of Transport) was added to the executive as were the Chairmen of the six local bodies in the area, where not already included. The first meeting of the Executive Committee was fixed for 7.30 p.m., five weeks from to-day, when, the chairmen of the various committees will submit reports. Mr. Kitchingham said arrangements would be made to circulate reports of the present meeting, and it would require a levy to meet these and secretarial expenses. It was decided to request local bodies to contribute £25 on a population basis and that a report be issued in pamphlet form. URGENT PROJECTS.

Mr. Evans reintroduced the aspect of reading and stressed the urgency of completing the highway in South Westland, which would prove a nationl asset. He moved that the ineet-

ing urge on the Government the completion of the Westland-Otago-Southland highway and the extension of the railway from Ross to Wataroa. Mr. Turley seconded the motion, which was .carried. On Mr. Herring’s motion, all other road and bridge projects, also river erosion, were left to the local bodies concerned. The Farming and Forestry Committees were requested to consider the subject of a stable landing for Bruce Bay. The meeting decided to request the Government to improve South Westland’s representation on the Rehabilitation Committee, Mrs. McKane having stated that the Greymouth Committee, as at present constituted, was unable to deal efficiently with cases from the South. A separate committee for districts south of the Teremakau River is to be sought Mr. E. W. Kennedy drew attention to the need to improve the outlets on the West Coast, citing the ex--amples of the ports of Hokitika and greymouth, which were deteriorating. The latter, he said, was “only q sludge channel.” The Chairman suggested that the Coal Committee could consider the subject. , , . ■ Mr. Luff advanced the topic oi housing for the returned men, who were entitled to good homes. Many of the men would not be in a financial position to pay rent, and should be granted free houses. The matter was duly noted. At the conclusion of the meeting the nucleus groups of committees held their initial meeting. The Mayor of Greymouth expressed satisfaction with the fine attendance, and confidence in the result. Mr. Kitchingham was accorded a vote of thanks.