WANTED ON THE PLAINS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4883, 28 September 1925, Page 3

WANTED ON THE PLAINS

SOME "LIVE WIRES.” LACK OF PUSH IN THE DISTRICT. Branches of the Farmers’ Uuiori in all parts of the Plains except Ngatea are dead; ratepayers’ and citizens’ associations, are either dead or dormant in most places, and the date of ihe monthly meeting of the Hauraki Plains Chamber of Commerce has passed and, in accordance with a reso-lution-empowering the convening of a meeting only when sufficient business was in sight to warrant members assembling, members have not been called together. . That such a state of affairs should exist to warrant the chamber carrying its resolution into effect, and also the inactivity of the o.ther bodies, is regrettable, and reflects discredit on the members. A district will not progress unless, x.. is pushed, and unletss progress is made retrogression set in. For many years the Plains was looked upon as a district that was going ahead by leiips and bounds, but of late it is feared that this progress has not been maintained with the same vigour. Of course there are various reasons for this apparent lack of progress, but there is little doubt that the absence of live organisations' of “boosters” has been partly responsible. UNLIMITED SCOPE. . What, it may be asked, can a chamber of commerce or a citizens’ league do to speed up-pro-gress ? If the experiences of other places are any criterion such a body, if tlie members are “live wires, ’ can do more practical work in this direction, in the right quarter, and at the right time than all the other local bodies together. It has been observed that every district contains i.ts quota of “lifters,” but, unfortunately, the proportion in many cases is small in comparison with the “go-slows.” 'rhe “lifters” are the “boosters,” who, having the welfare of .their district at heart, and being anxious to promote its welfare and assist in the work of progress, put their shoulders to the wheel, boost their locality, and incidentally, lift it to a higher place of importance. The “go-slows” are those who are satisfied to go on to the end of time in the same old groove and have no desire or ambition to sec the district advance. Their vision is obscured and they make excuses. The Hauraki Plains can do with a few more "lifters,” and now is the time for renewed activity. Every man at some time or other has had some idea which, if given effect to, might advance the district. The N.Z. Co-operative Dairy Co.’s box factory was the idea of a Netherton supplier, and the appointment by the same company of a London manager was first suggested in Netherton, as the managing director recently acknowledged. To have the greatest effect all energies should be conducted througn recognised channels, for a request or a suggestion coming from a recognised body carries more weight than one from an individual. Those bodies whose object is the welfare and progress of a community should, therefore, meet frequently or regularly, so that members will form the habit of bringing their ideas, to the meetings for discussion and of thinking of subjects for consideration. AU matters are usually given careful consideration and either adopted or rejected as the collective opinion deems fit. Discussion on the original idea may suggest something else. If the speakers sc desire, their remarks need not be reported in the Press.

SOME SUGGESTIONS. It is advisable to limit the scope of a welfare organisation to the particular requirements of the district concerned. By this it is not meant that the scope should be limited to the requirements of one particular township. for what benefits part benefits the whole district; and there is no better way of promoting friendship between the different sections than, by offers of assistance and encouragement in their particular needs. Advancement in one part of the Plains would benefit the whole of the county. Tlie Department of Agriculture would establish experimental plots if widespread representations were made and the matter pushed. There is a move in Parliament to encourage flax-grow-ing, and an expression of approval from this district might assist. The Thames Harbour Board: is considering taking over the control of the wharves —what about an expression of opinion by the settlers ? An agitation to speed up the ■' construction of the railway might produce results. The establishment of a consolidated school would meet with the approval of those parents who" now pay to board their children at places where there are large schools with teachers for separate subjects; and such a school reould be established within the county if all the pupils now attending other schools were to attend. It is stated that there is a much better route to. Auckland than the present main highw'ay.' Is it not worth investigating ? The suggestion has been made that the stock sales should be consolidated so that more outside buyers would be induced to attend and so bring about better prices. Is the matter worth pushing ?' ; At Miranda there are hot springs. Are they worth developing ? Is it worth while having the read to the beach at New Brighton included in the county reading scheme ? LOCAL SUPPORT. Is. it worth while doing anything to encourage Plains residents to do all their shopping within the district ? Private enterprise would provide the facilities, and the variety, if existing facilities were fully taken advantage of. Welfare organisations could dp much to imbue residents with the principle of supporting local enteiprise. W'i-?x~e local shopkeepers, can provide for every want of a community at prices which compare favourably with ruling city prices, or even at a slight advance, it is up to resifents to reward this enterprise with undivided support. The time and trouble involved and the cost of

transportation should also be taken into- consideration when comparing local with outside prices. These are only a few suggestions. If each member of each welfare organisation would bring up an equal number there would be no need for meetings to be abandoned for want of something interesting to do. The bodies would become live organisations, and if only a small proportion of the matters discussed produced results the district would be so much better off and would earn a reputation as being a live, up-to-date, and progressive centre.