Greymouth Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1945. WESTLAND BLUES.

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 December 1945, Page 3

Greymouth Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1945. WESTLAND BLUES.

'J’HE West Coaster when lie, or phe, visit'sother parts of tlie Dominion, often meets people who have no first-hand knowledge of Westland, but who accept as true strange reports of district standards and climate. These honest and ignorant, appear to be under the illusion that rain is always with us, that hospitality to the stranger is unbounded, that to drink is a main objective, that the scenery is beyond estimate, that local politics are of the “Red Fed.” variety, that strikes are the chief local industry, and that generally West Coasters are a type distinct from other New Zealanders. Those who know Westland from personal experience, ridicule the foolishness of these imaginings, but it is difficult to get the others to realise that their belief about the West Coast is mostly erroneous.

If district forgiveness is readily forthcoming to detractors who know no better, it is less easy to condone official reports not giving Westland a, fair deal. The Progress League, at its meeting last evening, was justified in. its denunciation of a report by an official of the National Service Department, .inferring that the West Coast was approaching the down-and-out stage. Transitory population is common throughout the Dominion, with the larger towns appealing to the majority. Every Province lias its special climatic advantages and defects, and it is open to argument whether drought is preferable Io ample rainfall, and if hot nor’westers are sufficient recompense for the sunshine. Admittedly, Westland’s rainfall, is apt to be annoying, but this is forgotten in the enjoyment of almost perfect weather when it is fine. As for the commercial prospects, threatened areas live long, and Westland will prove no exception. Against any cold blast in official reports may be set the fact that shrewd, businessmen from Christchurch and other centres think it uorlh while io open branches at Greymouth and elsewhere. Would they do this unless satisfied with present gains and future prospects ?

Adverse reports from outside serve some purpose if they minimise local complacency that all is well when it is not. District patriotism is to be encouraged but it should not blind people to the need for improvement where this need exists. That there is scope for betterment in administration and standards throughout Westland, town and country, cannot be intelligently denied, and all attempts to set Westland’s house in order should be sympathetically supported. This does not mean that any and every scheme launched in the name of progress must be endorsed, but the recognition that something ought to be done should be accompanied by general willingness to contribute time and service to doing it. Improvement will be difficult if there is undue sensitiveness when social and other blots are brought to notice. For instance, at the Progress League meeting, attention was directed to alleged slums in. Greymouth, but the topic was apparently unpopular and the matter was shelved. That does not denote progress. Criticism like charity, should begin at home. Westland has been richly endowed, and the inhabitants must prove worthy of their surroundings.