FUTURE PROGRESS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 192, 31 August 1937, Page 8

FUTURE PROGRESS

i . Mr. Maddison's Confideni Outlook PRODUCTIVE S0IL 3t "bright picture of the future "development of Hastings and the Eurrounding districts was presented to members of the Hastings Cham."ber of Commerce yesterday by tbe Mayor, Mr G-. A. Maddison, in bis address at tbe complimentary luncbeon tendered to blm. He voiced satisfaction witb tbe progress tbat had already been made and considered that stili greater development would come, especially when tbe poptflation of New Zealand was' considerahly increasedj as it necessarily would have to be if an outlet was to be found for tbe surplus primary prodgcts of tbe Dominion. "I believe that low rates, compatible with efficiency, aTe an important factor in borough settlemlnt, and, of course, it is essential that for the well- being of the people a -municipality should provide, and must provide, adequate services in the matter of sewerage, water, good xoads, footpaths, open spaces, abattoirs, etc," said Mr Maddison. "Now, I am of the opinion that Hastings has every reason to be satisSed with the development that has taken placa within recent years, and the amenities that have been provided ior the whole of our people at such a low annual cost. If these services are taken into consideration I think you will fhad ihat* our borough compares very favourably indeed with any other locai hody in our Dominion. "Hastings undoubtedly possesses a wonderful climate, and a soil that is highly productive, and I can visualise Hastings in the future as the centre of a veiy large and prosperous district, if only the development of that district is progressive and xightly guided," he said. "To-day, accor.ding to statistics, th. population of Hastings, and the area contiguous to Hastings, is next to the. city of Dunedin." Mr Maddison went on to point out that the growth of population, aecordiixg to the last census^ increased by 25.6 per cent. in the borough. In the districts contiguous to Hastings, B&mely, Heretaunga riding, Clive ridi Lg, Havelock North, Waimarama, Maraekakaho, Okawa, and Poukawa, the iucrease was even greater, namely, 3I£ per cent, "Although that appears satisfactory, nevertheless I think it is realised by everybody that New Zealand requires a very greatly increased population, ' ' he *dded4 "as the country 's first line of defenee, both economically and defeneively, is population. There is no doubt about it that this part of Hawke's Bay eould carry a very considerably increased population. •'It appears to me, from a study of lnternational affairs, in the marketing of our primary pxoduets, that the time is not far disiont when New.. Zealand will have to look to the internal population to. absorb perhaps a considerable surplus of primary produets," he said. ".This is why 1 am particularly interested in the soil survey that is being -under taken in Hawke's Bay at thepresent iime, "I feel that a similar survqy must be taken right throughout New Zealand, because I believe that the solution oi our economic and population troubles will be found in puttibg into effect the fiTtdings of such* a survey. I hope, therefore, that the Chamber will support eveiy effort in bringing to fruition the results of this work. "I look forward to the future of Hastings with every optimism," he said in conclusion. "It is a town that is constituted in the centre of a particularly rich producing district, and although its progress in the past has not been partieularly spectacular, nevertheless it has been very progressive and very stable. Of course the success and development of a district such as onrs depends very materially npon the right guidanee and a*wise and sound administration, and the enterprise and cooperation and civic spirit of its people.""