A LAND OF PROMISE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17245, 11 January 1924, Page 11

A LAND OF PROMISE.

WELLINGTONIANS’ VIEW OF WESTLAND. The impressions gained by a party of business men from Wellington on a two weeks’ tour of the West Coast were that Westland has great possibilities and that its first need is capital and labour to develop pastoral lands. The party which made the trip was : Mr N. Elmslie, British Trade Commis-

sioner, Mr J. Myers, chairman of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Mr A. Leigh Hunt, chairman of the Empire Trade and Foreign Committee of the Chamber, Mr A. E. Barnett, secretary of the Wellington Harbour Board, Mr P. Levy, chairman of the Council of Victoria College, and Mr W. J. Gaudin, a member of the Wellington City Council. They were accompanied by Sir Alexander Matheson, New Zealand representative of the “ Morning Post,” London. The tour was made via Nelson, from where the party motored to various parts of Westland, covering 745 miles by car. At Hokitika they were joined by Mr R. A. Wright, Mayor of Wellington. Several of tho party left for home via Christchurch on Wednesday and the remainder returned last night. The objects of the trip were to cultivate closer trade relations with the West Coast and to investigate its 'capabilities and undeveloped resources, at tlie same time enjoying a certain amount of holiday. “ There are enormous possibilities in both mining and agriculture,” stated Mr Elmslie, in the course of an interview. “ I had no idea of the amount of land available for agriculture, or of the quality of the pasture. From the scenic point of view it is absolutely unique ; no. country has anything like the combination as seen on the Coast. It is a country that ought to be worth millions a year to New Zealand in tourist traffic, but preparations will have to be made for it. As yet there is neither transport nor accommodation that will meet with the approval of the wealthy tourist. The accommodation is excellent of its kind, and for the purpose for which it was designed, but it is not the kind that the luxuryloving tourist will approve of. The population is now SO,OOO, bait it ought to be nearer 1,000,000. Capital and population are needed.” Mr Elmslie concluded by expressing appreciation of the generous hospitality which he had experienced during the tour. One urgent need on the Coast in the opinion of Mr A. Leigh Hunt (who took a keen interest in the agricultural side) is a comprehensive scheme ‘of drainage, either by drainage boards or private development companies. He is of opinion that the land should be

dealt with in large areas, as a much more economical and effective method than the efforts of individual farmers, and preferably the work should be undertaken by large companies using British capital. The objects of these companies would lie the breaking-in of the land for settlement, and their operations, ho suggests, could be worked in with the influx of immigration. Taking everything into consideration Mr Hunt was of opinion that land on the West Coast would be a much better proposition for the buyer than many of the North Island offerings. There were not many disabilities peculiar to the Coast ; though there was a certain amount of isolation this would cur© itself. One of the important necessities was a cheap supply oi lime and as there were deposits locally there was no reason why it should not be available at a price as low as anywhere in New Zealand. The best of Jfche land is largely in river flats, but Mr Hunt urged caution against indiscriminate clearing of the bush from the hills, lest these fiats go out to sea. The idea of clearing some of the hills, he said, was unthinkable and in connection with the clearing of lands generally there should be. a. demarcation so that the bush suitable for timber would be removed and the growing trees left There was no question about the timber ; it was magnificent. The party was very pleased with the advance of co-opevativo mining, in which 300 men are now engaged. There eight co-onerativa .-uarties. con&bu—-

ing of 120 men at Seddonville alone. The system is flourishing and it is hoped it will be productive of a lot of good. To Sir Alexander Matheson this was one of the most interesting aspects of West Coast industry. Sir Alexander said that he was impressed with the development of co-operative mining, and the facilities given to the men to carry on the work. Also he associated himself with other members of the party in their expressions of appreciation of the hospitality met with. With reference to transport Mr Hunt stated it was the intention of the party to endeavour to arrange for a regular steamer service to the Coast.