The Grey River Argus SATURDAY, AUGUST 28th, 1937. THE FAR SOUTH.

Grey River Argus, 28 August 1937, Page 6

The Grey River Argus SATURDAY, AUGUST 28th, 1937. THE FAR SOUTH.

Mainly notable hitherto only as one of the first localities in which settlement for purposes other than mining had been started on the West Coast, Jackson Bay since the failure of that venture has remained practically uninhabited and hardly known. People now are enquiring- about it, because the Government has sanctioned the project of a few men of foresight to make a harbour there. National necessity in the shape of a growing timber scarcity has become Far South Westland’s opportunity. The pioneer settlers further north have always realised Jackson Bay’s suitability as a sea outlet, for it offers shelter from all but one prevailing- wind. Since Labour came into power, however, South West-

land’s outlook has been trans

formed, and soon nobody will remain unaware of its potentialities. Roading and air transport have brought into wider view its forest wealth, whilst the plan to connect this province by motor with the southern provinces sees bridges now going over one after another of the rivers so long offering a barrier to transport and development. That plan, however, is distinct from the Jackson Bay project, which will mean an outlet for an area the road could at best serve only very inadequately. If anyone imagine any present sea outlet for West Coast products might find a competitor in the one proposed, it could only be. due to ignorance of the far south. The timber there could never be payably transported by land to any other uort. Nor could commodities be thus taken from any locality now served by a port to Jackson Bay even when it is linked with the Main

South Road. But the future should there see more than timber shipped, although in the meantime it would be a mistake to think the decision of Cabinet commits the country to any disproportionate outlay. None such is necessary for the object in view, on account of the natural facilities which can economically be adapted to the end immediately in view. The wharf, at first of dimensions, by no means great, may however, in the course of time become the nucleus of something more extensive, when it may perhaps be more apposite to compare the proximity of the port with that of any other in the country to Australia. The point to be first noted ; is that the advocates of it have been able to anticipate in an important degree the eventual possibilities by securing shipping facilities for an urgent national

need in the way of access to the grandest stand of indiginous timber remaining in this dominion, if it has an equal anywhere in neighbouring one. Thus it canot be said elsewhere that the .West Coast has in this matter been extended special favour, for its natural wealth is required

less on the West Coast than anywhere else in the country. No { doubt, in a secondary way, advantages will accrue to the West Coast more than to any other province, because new country will be opened, new industry induced, employment extended, population increased, and wealth augmented. Those ends it is the declared aim of the Government to serve, and its decision on this occasion is but one more evidence that it lives up to its proclaimed policy. Looking over New Zealand’s history, it may appear that progress is actually slow, but it. is also steady, each area coming only gradually to fruition. Even in the case of the handiest southern asset, time teaches the lesson that to regard the first indigenous timber crop as the last crop would be a hasty or foolish attitude to take up. Rather is South Westland fitted among other things, ■ for permanent afforestation, and it will be the State’s duty.to prevent there the waste which has unfortunately been going on almost everywhere else. The Prime Minister said the other day that New Zealand was making for an economic paradise in the Pacific. In opening up South Westland, however, it is not merely taking a step in that direction, but extending also a scenic paradise. Apart from the access which the new reading will give tourists on terra firma to the finest of alpine scenery, other tourists whose mode of travel is the sea should in time find the harbour at Jackson Bay a vantage point second to-none.