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Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1928, Page 4

Tun confirmation of the news in regard to the commencement of the Great -'outh Bond —if such were needed in view of the clear statement in the I’nUie Works Report of last session—should satisfy the most sceptical that tlii great arterial work is to he put in hand and pushed on Rome critii ism has been passed on this pajier because of tho prominence given in our columns to what is essentially a national undertaking. But we do not quarrel with those responsible for that criticism. Our offence would indeed have been a serious one were we not to have given the matter all the publicity we •mild. We regard the undertaking as of tho most important to Westland at this juncture, because it means the open tig up of a great tract of country hitherto isolated which might he regarded as tho hack door of the district. To our view, it ranks as second mly in importance to the East and West Coast railway completion for which the district advocated with such consistency over so many years. The fact that the Government of the day lias recognised the national character of the work and recorded its importance and recognition in the Public Works Statement, is a splendid basis to work upon in the strongest advocacy for the active prosecution of the work. And just as the Canterbury people joined with the Westland people in advocating Iho completion of the Midland Railway, so in this instance the Otago people are joining whole heartedlv with Westland in the urge to secure the earliest completion. By this niily \f action it will he possible to see the work reaching out from both ends simultaneously, and it remains for the people arid their representaivos in both provinces to see that year by year as large provision as possible is made for the work. if Sir Joseph Ward becomes the leader of the new Parliament we believe that in him the district will have a friend. We know how he stuck to the prosecution of the east and west railway, even when tho North Island continued with all its influence to decry it. hat enterprise is now more than justified, and Sir Joseph deserves the greatest credit lor his loyalty to the Coast. In regard to the road, it can he argued that in the first place it is a .substitute lor a railway and as Sir Joseph has a scheme for pushing on railways, it can he urged il lie he the next Prime Minister, that here is a national work akin to a railway for which material financial provision should he made, and with unity of support from the two province? invovod, great strides should he possible. We know Mr Seddon had this work very much iu mind and he in particular will he pleased at the prospects If or a substantial advancement with the undertaking. We mention this in fairness and in appreciation of the invaluable spade work he has done to biing matters to the eve of fruition. Incidentally South Westland may he congratulated that it lias had such good vM'vieo and iutere«led forethought in its immediate and future welfare.