DOES WHAKATANE NEED.

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 16, Issue 5, 9 October 1950, Page 5

DOES WHAKATANE NEED.

A New Outlook “You should suggest that Whakatane needs a new outlook,” we were told.

We’ve thought that one over and believe that maybe our friend was right. He thought that the town needed an infusion, a wider interest in local affairs, a spirit of progress influenced by respect for the past. As in so many small towns, a limited number of people take an active interest in municipal affairs here. At any meeting about anything, it is not considered the thing to vote any except one or two to the chair, to elect any except certain persons to office. It is an understood thing that a group of hardworking persons conducts the affairs of the town.

But this town belongs to all of us. It is itching to expand and, indeed, is expanding in spite of the fact that it receives little help from most of its residents. It owes its progress to a • few citizens in the public eye, plus'the investments and efforts of businessmen and others who make certain of keeping out of the public eye. We need regular change among persons who hold the reins of control in our various organisations. It new broom which sweeps clean and change which makes for progress. Our younger businessmen and wage earners should be encouraged to learn something about public affairs and to voice their ideas—though how many would take advantage of the opportunity is another question. Indeed, from one point of view, the opportunity already exists. This is a changing, growing town, the centre of a prosperous district. It is progress will be the better for a little help from its inhabitants.