The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, MARCH 15th, 1940. PAST DEEDS-FUTURE CONFIDENCE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 136, 15 March 1940, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, MARCH 15th, 1940. PAST DEEDS-FUTURE CONFIDENCE

JUST one hundred years ago, this fair land of ours, which we are so fond of referring to as 'The Little Britain of the South," became part of Hie British Commonwealth of Nations. Ceded to the Crown by deed and proclamation, the wild and green country as it was then has grown into one of the warmest, and most loyal to the Motherland, of the whole galaxy of Imperial possessions. The year 1940 represents the /irst Centennial birthday of the youngest of the Dominions. In the words of a recent Covernor-General, Lord Bledisloe, no other country in the world has made comparatively, the same astonishing progress, or attained the same uniform standard of prosperity, as lias New Zealand. Whakatane town and county remain a living example of the wisdom of the above observation. Founded on an historic spot, rich in Maori lore, and steeped in the traditions of the past, it has in less than half-a-century become an important centre, and the natural outlet for the broad acres of the ever-expanding Rangitaiki Plains. Could a long sleeping warrior of the old clays be awakened, and from the brow of Ilillcrest, shown the brisk, modern town at the foot, half founded 011 reclaimed land from the harbour, his astonishment would exceed belief. Could an early pioneer be made spectator to the same scene, his surprise would be almost as great. Even a settler of twenty years ago would be amazed. But to-day we view the town with even greater faith and confidence in its future. Whakalane will fulfil even the highest hopes, and greatest dreams of those who visualise Us development. Apart from the natural assets by which it is backed; the fertile farmlands, the finest beach in the province, its mild climate; the town has bccome almost a self-contained unit, and manufactures a surprising variety of g<rods. This lias been partly due to the long period of isolation before the drainage of the Plains. But the most recent development, and a movement which has played an important part in "(jutting the town on the map," is the construction of the paper mills on the upper reaches of the river above the town. Here with a capital approaching a million and a-half sterling a company has established one of the greatest commercial ventures ever considered in New Zealand. The new industry employs over a hundred persons and has added very materially to the progress of the town, during the past two years. To-day Whakatane plays its own part iii keeping the Centennial winch has found echo in every corner of the Dominion. A full presentation of pageantry, depicting incidents of the past, will take place in accordance with the programme printed elsewhere. Pakeha and Maori have combined in order that the day will be made a memorable one for all who participate. It is therefore a day primarily dedicated to goodwill, but it is also replete with high hope and confidence in the future.