The Feilding Star THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1889. Unity

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 106, 14 March 1889, Page 2

The Feilding Star THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1889. Unity

We learn from our contemporary the Manawatu Times that there is likely to be formed in Palmerston a union to watch over and further the interests of that district, and a meeting with that view is to be held at an early date to consider the question. We hope tbe movement will be extended in this direction, because at no time siuce this settlement was formed has so much apathy existed among those we have betn accustomed to look on as our public men, and our circumstance are much the same as those of Palmerston, where it is found that "What is especially wanted at the present time is unity among representative men, and energetic action on their part to push on works and establish institutions which will have a permanent as well as immediate influence on the prosperity of the district." We have plenty of prudent and farseeing men among us who, by legislative and other causes, are debarred from becoming members of local bodies, but who, if they were members of a union or progress com mittee, as suggested, would be able to render valuable aid in further ig tb» prosperity of their district as a whole. Such a body would not only be useful in practical work and in assisting to form public opinion, but could afford that "pressure from without" which is so often required by public bodies to compel them to keep pace with the times. Another point not to be forgotten is that by such means most of the miserable little cliques, which have had such an embarrassing effect here and hereabouts, would be effectually broken up, and their members, by compulsory contact with new men and new minds, be educated to take broader views of life and things. They would be taught that craft is not wisdom, or selfUhuess prudence ; that vilification of their own surroundings is notindependance, or speaking ill of their neighbors openheartedness. Of course it may be said that the proposed union would but be a larger clique uuder another name. That may be perfectly true, but at the same time there would be a probable absence of that pettiness which makes the smaller fry so irritating even if when most contemptible. We will watch with interest what is done in Palmerston, and sincerely hope they wih give such a good example that we may follow it witb profit and advantage.