THE WEST COAST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15855, 29 August 1913, Page 5

THE WEST COAST.

INTERVIEW WITH, MR D. JONES. (Fbou Ona Owk Cobbispondsnt.) ' lIOKITIKA, August 28. "I shall always oherish plwamt memories of my visits to the Coaet, and I am do lighted at 'having been associated with the biggest political revival tihat has taken place on tho West Coast for the past 20 years," declared Mr D. Jones, ■ organiser for tie New Zealand Politico! Reform Leagno, when asked to givo Ike impressions of .tjs visits to the Wast Coast. He was satisfied^***

from .what ho ha/d seen for himself that tftcro was a growing feeling in favour of the present Government The meetings lie had addressed were large and wry represent, tive. Quito a number of those wJio were opposed to the Reform Government at the. last elections were openly elating their intention to support She Reform party in the future. Tho organisation of Reform leagues ■wac now spreading from Reeftion ill fee north to Okura in t'ne south. Mr Jones said it was his firm opinion that what was wanted on the W«t Coast was a reoln6sification of the wMe of its lands. Many reservos were tied up as soenio reserves which ought to be dairy fauns. Other areas of good ta«h lands ttiat would lake grass splendidly wero closed for the future development of the wood pulp industry,' that shows no signs of being pushed on; while mining areas should bo leased grazing purposes, ressrvir.sr tlho mineral rights to the Crown. Tho "agricultural and pastoral industries wore the foundation of permanent prosperity in tlcis dominion, and there was groat room for development throughout the West Ccoet, where the evi<Jence of the uncertain and fleeting prosperity associated! with, gold irrinine wafi indicated in the nonprogrctsive condition of eomo of tho small towns an the Cfsst.