PROGRESS OF PORT OF BLUFF

Southland Times, Issue 24237, 21 September 1940, Page 2

PROGRESS OF PORT OF BLUFF

FERTILITY OF SOUTHLAND REFLECTED

The opinion that the progress of the port of Bluff was the reflection of Southland’s productivity was expressed by the chairman of the Bluff Harbour Board, Mr W. J. A. McGregor, in an address at the annual meeting of the Gore Chamber of Commerce.

Mr McGregor said that the limit of this productivity had by no means been reached and this was at once realized by anyone travelling through the province. The fact that so many of the best young men trained on farms were now on active service was retarding this development to some extent. Others were also turning from, the land to the towns and to Government positions with a 40-hour week.

“Surely this is a serious matter for our national future,” Mr McGregor said. “Our pathway will need watching so that we do not follow too closely the socialistic steps that have led to the downfall of Belgium and the great French Empire. “This war has shown up the rottenness of socialism in Europe, its treachery, selfishness and greed. This socialism that let France down is now permeating Australia and New Zealand today and it is to be seen, in stop-work meetings and never-ceasing wage demands. Many people here do not seem to realize what Britain is up against in these strenuous days. As Mr Churchill has said, vigilance must not be relaxed.”