The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 1934. CO.ORDINATION REQUIRED

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1934, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 1934. CO.ORDINATION REQUIRED

Those auxiliary local institutions, such as the Mining League, Progress League," CuauiOer of Atihimeree ecc.j which ni the past cud s.> much,.good liuve been ln-uTuuiivi i : <*p* some tunc. But tiA-re are useful aVoMa f s ; along which mucit valuably went can be accomplished under crgaiusea guidance. The local bodies have their omTi affairs to biis.v liiboiit, "btutotheve "are - other matters of local important «rising- from tune to time wall regard to winch a body more or - less, representative and redpoasible could uu useful directing work.'r...Tile,-tourist (asset of tin’s district, rentalkabie as it is for so many natural features •of interest, is neglected from a local organising point of. view. Some of the institutions above referred to did very worthy work in times past in focussing interest and attention on district requirements and seeing them accomplished. The local bodies might give some attention to

furthering tourist work, but naturally are more concerned directly with the administering of tiie acts which called them into existence. Probably a new body, unofficial of course, but representative of the various interests which could- he served, might be set up, ancl placing local matters of moment in the forefront, do much to advance the general interests of the district. The progressive movement which is now setting in in Westland would he an opportune time, for a new beginning in the direction suggested. In other centres there are active organisations working along definite lines and accomplishing a good deal. We have seen the Lewis Pass road for instance, advanced while residing requirements in this neighbourhood have stood still, because there was not any active publicity to keep requirements before the -.authorities. - We read too, very often of heads of departments moving hi bo at the Dominion, but few' pass this way. Were representations being nuado in regard to important district matters, it would be found necessary, for the heads to come this way and consult or confer in regard to proposals which could be put forwaul. The creation erf a freo-laricc body such as would serve the position, would lie most timely ,ami could be used- to advantage along lines of public benefit. The efforts in the past were crowned with various successes. We saw how the local advocacy helped to focus attention on the completion of the East and West Coast railway. The successful exhibition of ten years ago was the - outcome of a spontaneous effort by the members of. the Chamber of Commerce. The Progress League did valuable work in advocating the bridging of the streams on the main south rdatl. There is every reason why local interests should be kept in the forefront if we are to progress as. we should. Population is growing and industrial interest are expanding. There is a tide setting in which should be made the most of, anti •>%- watching ami furthering local needs in diffident directions, more will result the quicker from improving conditions. It is foi the people to help themselves in this matter. A co-ordination of possible efforts to advance local conditions and facilities would he very helplul just miiv? pjvie life lias been very quiet for some time, and it is time a moie active'note was struck. The resow cos of the district arc far from being vised to The , full extent. The district has potentialities capable of successful development., and their improved and .quicker utilisation will count towards the progress of the place, and in which all business interests would participate.

“Europe is the leader of civilisation. Almost all that is previous in the life of mankind, in music, in art, in letters, and in the amenities and securities of material civilisation -• proceeds from the people who dwell under the temperate skies of this small peninsula jutting out from the great Asiatic mass,” writes the lit. Hon H. A. L. Fisher in Lloyd's Bank Monthly. “We may go further still and say that four countries in particular. Italy, France, Germany and Britain, stand out as representatives of this civilisation, and as the chief creators' of its specific values. The economic arguments against war in general are, in respect of a struggle between these four peoples, reinforced by moral and cultural considerations of the most compelling nature. If war were eugenic in its effect, if it rooted, out the weak elements of a population and left only the strong, there might he something to- be said, from this limited point of yiie-w, for a periodical blood-letting among the most gifted populations of the world. War, however, notoriously is in the highest degree- dysgenic. It spares the old, the elderly and the weak, and consumes tiro strong.. It kills the- potential father of a robust family, and allows the survival of the invalid, “the cripple, and the idiot. Lists have been made of the young men of high intellectual promise who in each of these four countries -were cut off in the early bloom of manhood. The wastage was tremendous and the loss incalculable. It ought, therefore, to be felt as a special obligation by the four great culture people to keep the peace among themselves. It is a duty which they owe .to Europe and to the world.”