Greymouth Evening Star. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1946. The Progress of Westland

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 October 1946, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1946. The Progress of Westland

’J’HE comment made by the president, Mr. W. D. Taylor, at the annual meeting- of the “Westland Progress League this week is deserving of more than passingattention. It was. his complaint that the

young people of the town and district do not take sufficient interest in matters pertaining to its future welfare. “The work of progress In the town,” he said, “seems to rest- on the shoulders of the same certain individuals who are on the executive of every body in the town.” lie went on to point out that if the district declined it would be the young people, and not the older, who would feel the effects. Mr. Taylor, quite reasonably, pointed an accusing finger, at youth. Their interest is not, at - any rate, ipade publicly apparent. It was noteworthy, however, that Mr. Taylor’s words produced no active response from the members present. Appar-

ently it did not occur to the meeting tha encouragement may produce better results than criticism. The active Progress League membership is mostly composed of men who have, reached senior rank in district affairs. Youth, if it is modest, has a natural diffidence towards association with such company. It is not usually sought. If the league earnestly desires wider support from the young people of the district, it might well consider the formation of a. junior body, a scheme 'which chambers of commerce have developed with marked success in other centres.

Youth, under paternal direction, as it were, could thus be encouraged to pool its ideas for the advancement of the district, These could in turn be sifted by the parent body and their presentation to the proper authorities thus given wider backing and greater weight. One of the main reasons for the forma-

tion of: the league was Ihe growing realisation that the development of Westland was being neglected—that other parts of the Dominion were making full use of its resources and little was being done to replace its wasting assets. The evidence is conclusive that, despite the efforts of the league and other organisations, the position is little changed. Indeed it has been suggested that the district is paying the penalty of being “politically safe.” It is difficult, of course, to judge accurately the truth of such an implied accusation, but there is one remarkable fact that speaks for itself. It is known that practically every province in the South Island, except Westland, has been provided with a plan of proposed works by the Government.

It may be remarked, however, that the announcement of a ten-year plan would in itself accomplish little for the district. It would, of course, have the undoubted merit of setting an objective, in that it would show clearly to the people what can be achieved, but what is more important is the question of priority. A plan has been promised. It will have added value if some definite indication can be given as to the place the various works detailed Anil occupy in the general, scheme for Dominion development. By continuing its vigorous presentation, of Westland’s case, the Progress Lejigue will indeed be performing a task of inestimable value to the district.

Conditions in Rumania ’THE announcement by the Rumanian Government that elections will be held in November draws attention to the recent British and American Notes of protest that assurances given by the Bucharest regime have not been fulfilled. The Rumanian Government last January stated that the essential freedoms would be guaranteed and the elections held at the earliest possible moment in complete lieedom. It was on the basis of this assurance that in accordance with the Moscow Agreement of December, 1945, the British and United States Governments recognised the Rumanian Government. Reports on the internal situation in Rumania continue to remain disquieting. Expressive of the British Government s con cern was the statement made by the Minister of State, Sir Hector McNeil in leplj to a question in the House of Commons last week. “The Government,” he said, “has long been dissatisfied xvitli the ab, sence of political freedom in Rumania. In this connection, M. Romiceanu, Minis ter of State and representative of the National Liberal Party in the Rumanian Government, published in his Paity s 01 gan, Liberal.nl, on August 31, a protest to the Prime Minister- regarding the man ner in Avhich the election lists Aveie bein„ drawn up. M. Romniceanu alleged t m there was a deliberate attempt to ma ve registration of the mass of citizens impos sible, and to obtain lists including on a those electors favourably disposed to e Government parties’ bloc. He a^so ass _ ei . ed that instructions had been issuer, m many parts of Rumania not to ic.-JS those suspected of wishing to recor an adverse vote. The ruling regime, it seem, is intent on consolidating its to tarian rule at any cost.