LET'S GET TOGETHER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 25, 17 November 1944, Page 4

LET'S GET TOGETHER

THE question of the course of the: East Coast Main Highway, has been raised agrain, and bears all. the earmarks of developing* into the traditional inter-town controversy which has been so much a feature of the history of problems in the past. In face of the statement appearing in the Onotiki News recently, it would anpear that the route was'finally settled oncp and for all in favour of Taneatua-Waimana Gore-e and on to Opotiki. "Re that as it mav. the letter from the Whakatane Borough Council will bring the trup position to light. What we are mainly concerned with at the present juncture, is how best we can overcome thi«s subject m- order that all narties will be satisfied with a unifier! prfipme which could he presented,to the Government backed by the communities of both centres. The time is tar behind us when we can afford to be parochial in matters of this description, which in effect provide the cowers that be with excellent excuses for finally shelving the until such time as an amicable agreement can be arrived at. We could, as we have said initiate a firtf class controversy, which is not likely to vet either town in the Eastern Bay anvwhere. Shades of 'Briartown' and all the p-ood-humoured press riots which have figured between the two centres in past years: cannot be expected to make tor mutual progress. The time has now arrived to e-et together m a friendly atmosphere, that will make for a harmonious settlement of all points under discussion. Whakatane knows that Opotiki desires and is fighting hard for the extension of the rail service through to that centra Inere is no reason in the wide world whv the rail should not be extended, until it links up with the Gisborne terand there, is no reason why Whakatane should not ? Up £ 0r V ts neighbour's representations in this direction to the utmost. There is little chance, if any, of the service ever coming through this town, now that the permanent way has been laid. Whakatane has been bv-passed in this respect, and does not wish to be by-passed again by the mam highway. On the other hand we recognise Opotiki's claims to both road and rail access, and are certain that that community m its turn, can appreciate Whakatane's aspirations to becoming a worth while centre with the advantage of the best possible roading amenities at its disposal. For too long the twin towns have been at daggers drawn and it is high time that this ridiculous state of affairs ceased to be. Let us bury them with the less progressive past, and call a joint conference of County and Municipal interests from each centre! !Let us thrash out the points of difference until they are mutually adjusted and we are able to show a united front to the Government in all matters which will make for the benefit of the Eastern Bay. The matter is in our own hands for settlement, if we wish. In the broadest sense both towns are vital to each other if Government recognition and development is desired. Our interests are identical, and our problems are peculiar by dint of population and situation, to the Eastern Bay of Plenty where divided councils have hampered progress for long enough. Let's get together!