CIVIC PRIDE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 2, 22 June 1949, Page 4

CIVIC PRIDE

Sir, —I note your exclamation in reply to “Disgusted” regarding power cuts but I too would like to echo his sentiments that if the locals here don’t take an interest in the town it will fall asleep. Has ■ it occurred to them the number of j unfortunate people whc are waitin£~*k in desperation for homes. (There have been eight Stati houses buillT in the town in 18 months). Of the number of young people getting board and lodgings as and where they can, obtaining their meals in the restaurants which are not. even open on the week-ends. These young people, teachers, civil servants and bank clerks, etc. are sent here to man the services which the Whakatane people demand, but what does the average citizen care how they are housed? When approached he just holds up his hands in pious despair and says, “Yes, we. know accommodation is terribly short in Whakatane” and trusts you won’t bother him any more. Is. that fair to these people, single and married, who are trying to make their way in life? It seems to have taken the power cuts to bring them back to the fact that Whakatane is being allowed to slip behind. Already the floods of last year, arid the possibility that they are ever- ™ present here, seems to be just a memory with nothing apparently done to prevent a recurrence Mr Editor, what can you suggest to awaken the residents, and the councillors, from their lethargy and to a. realisation of their responsibilities.

Yours etc., ALSO DISGUSTED. Whakatane, 20/6049.