West Coast Is Neglected, Candidate Says

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 November 1947, Page 2

West Coast Is Neglected, Candidate Says

“Since a ‘Tory’ Government completed the hole through the hill, what has been done here. In South Westland we have 50 per cent of the natural timber resources of New Zealand. We have a heavy rainfall and grand storage in our lakes and yet we have to depend on a thin wire over the Alps for our power. All we see is our capital reserves exploited and the money expended elsewhere. It is high time we took stock of the position.” In these words the National candidate for the Westland by-election, Mr J. F. Lockington, dealt with the development of Westland, which he described as the “Cinderella of New Zealand,” at his meeting at Greymouth last night. Referring to his recent visit to South Westland, he said thqt there was a Public Works camp there to build a road but, at the present rate of progress, he prophesied that the road would be overgrown before it was finished. There was a lack of incentive for the lorry drivers, which could be overcome by putting them on a contract basis. “You see that feeble effort in South Westland, and that goes for the rest of the West Coast,” added the speaker. “We have been a long-forgotten province.” Mr Lockington quoted as' an example the wallboard industry, which had been started in the North Island. “This is where it should be,” 1 he said. “Why cart the timber all the way to the North Island? I stand wholeheartedly for the development of Westland. We have the. finest scenery in the world, we have thousands of acres of good land, which is the place for the rehabilitation of soldiers if the Government was sincere.

“But, we seem to be forgotten. We are the Cinderella of New Zealand, but I assure you that if I am elected I will give all I can to bring the West Coast back to the good old glorious days when Seddon was here.”