Hokitika Guardian and Evening Star MONDAY. JAN. 22 1917 MR MYERS’ INDISCRETION.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian and Evening Star MONDAY. JAN. 22 1917 MR MYERS’ INDISCRETION.

The Hon Mr Myers, in his references to the Otira tunnel at Warkwortb, daring the north of Auckland tour (particulars of which were published in our previous issue) was very indiscreet in his remarks. His apology 1 for the prosecution of the Otira tunnel was neither creditable to his business or political acnmen, nor to his loyelty to his ex-obiefs. Mr Myers must have been fearful of the selfish opinion of the North of Auckland folk when he went ont of his way to pander to their views on the Otira tunnel. The hon gentleman, if he had nothing better to say if this great national work than what fell from him, might well have held his peace. To begin with ha is as ignorant as most Auckland people desire to be, about the possibilities of the Otira tunnel. Mr Myers has never taken the trouble to probe the facts for himself. Apparently hs has not taken the trouble to read even ths reports on the work. If he or any other autßgcnist to the completion of the line had any fair consideration in them for what is just and right not alone to Westland, but also to New Zealand, we wonld refer them to a perusal of the traffic reports on the East and West Coast railway prepared by the railway officers, and which reports no doubt would be accessible to Mr Myers for the asking. However, Mr Myers’ ignorance we can forgive, but we cannot overlook his lack of loyalty to his late political leaders who were men far-seeing enough to see the need for the Otira tunnel before events (as they do to-day) justify so palpably the speedy completion of the work, It has always been something of a mystery to find out how Mr Myers attained the political position he has reached. His brilliance' has not been of a maiked character, while now we have bis reputation such as it is, tarnished by his present display of disloyalty to the political leaders nnder whose guidance he has been assisted to attain the degree of eminence he now ocounies There is the satisfaction of knowing that the judgment of those political leaders who sanctioned and supported the Otira tunnel will be more than justified Jong after even the provincial fame of Mr Myers has passed away. The poor spirit of the Aucklander towards the rest of New Zealand is proverbial, and Mr Myers is typical of that small class. He may be left in such company. Of the Otira tunnel as a national work we have often written. Our faith in the future of this great work has always been pronounced, and year by year the progress of events in Westland has justified that faith. While the Otira tunnel is going to be a fresh portal for the entrance of enhanced success to the West Coast of this Island, it is going to be also the means of adding enormously to the prosperity of the Dominion. The railway is going to carry a great volume of traffic. In fact the railway is going to have a

difficulty in coping with the traffio. There need Dot be any doubt about the earning power of the line. It is going to pay the country both directly and indirectly. But we do protest at the leisurely way in which a work of this importance ia being handled. No business man would handle a pereo 1 proposition as the Government cf the day i» handling the works of late. Ignorance of tho Myers’ class probably bM something

to do with this. Then the sooner local authorities here take steps to have that ignorance removed the better.