The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, NOV, 15th, 1939. MUST NOT BE DROPPED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 88, 15 November 1939, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, NOV, 15th, 1939. MUST NOT BE DROPPED

MENTION, of the proposed new route of the Highway, and the part played by members of the Chamber of Commerce, in calling* the public l meeting which resulted in strong representations going forward to the Minister of Public Works has aroused considerable comment locally. There is every reason to believe that Whakatane has not heard the end of the proposal by any means. The Department has definitely decided to put a new Main Highway through the East Coast centres, and when last in contact with the local authorities, was considering which course to take —via the Mariatotara Gorge, or by the popular route proposed by the Whakatane residents —through the town, and by steady gradient over the bluff, to Otowairere and then by Ohope Beach through to Opotiki. The latter course was the endorsed opinion of the town as a whole, and while the P.W.D. continues with the construction of highways, there is no reason in the wide world, why the proposal should be dropped. It has become the fashion to forget local questions under the the stress and strain of the war emmergency conditions, but the country must go on. A set programme for the roading development of the Dominion as a whole been passed and approved in the national budget of lasi; year. An army of workmen assisted by the latest in modern devices for the saving of labour, are engaged the year round on the construction of new roads, better routes, shorter connections between point and point. This organisation is at the disposal of the people, not merely until such a time as a war breaks out, but permanently. In view of the above there is every reason to expect that the important route to the East Coast has not been overlooked. From well informed sources, we learn that the Hon. R. Sempie, proposes shortly to visit Whakatane with a view to inspecting the suggested alternatives. Should this evenuate then, will be Whakatane's opportunity to put forward its claims in no uncertain manner. As a community with an eye to the future, it would be folly to let any opening of this nature slip through our fingerst, We are at present endeavouring to lay the foundations for a greater and better town which will .become the home and centre for an ever increasing volume of trade. Access is everything, and spells either progress or stagnation. With a possibility of a better and more direct roading entrance to the town, presenting itself, here is an opportunity which cannot be left to chance. When the Minister of Public Works visits the town it is therefore to be hoped that businessmen generally will recognise this and make the strongest representations possible.