THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1907. PUBLIC SPIRIT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 28, 3 May 1907, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1907. PUBLIC SPIRIT.

In any country there conies a time when the best efforts of its people ; :he greatest self-sacrifices, and the sinking of the individual interests, are necessary for the well-being of the whole, or for every existence of the ;ountry itself. The greater the issue, the greater the demands, and it depends entirely upon the manner in which the people, as a body, rise to the call, what measure of success attends the efforts. History teems with examples of the highest patriotism, rnd those races which obeyed the call whole-heartedly existed just so long is they continued patriots. Present day patriotism is rather different to that of the strenuous past, when might was right in all things, and the strong right arm the only argument worth considering. As it is in countries, so is it in cities and districts. In all places where men are living and working to a common end, there is need for public spirit, and the man who takes the greatest pride in his district and works for its benefit, is the man most likely to do the most for his country when occasion arises. Until recent years the King Country, as far as the Pakeha was concerned, was a land given over to the nomad and the c isual worker, and exploited by the trader, irrespective of public interest in any form. That time is, happily, passing, and with it the irresponsibility which characterises the itinerant the world over. There is now a large and increasing settled element in most of the districts, and the European settler has brought in his train, the numerous wants and requirements which accompany desirable settlers in any land. The out-districts and the town centres each have their particular requirements, but what is necessary to the one will benefit the other, and each have common interests. The time has arrived when it is necessary for all to co-operate and assist in the development of the district, (and the necessity for public spirit is daily becoming more apparent. Conditions exist in the Rohe Potae which are not possible in any other portion of the colony, and they will continue to exist just as long as the people wish them to, and no longer. The greatest of all matters affecting the district is, naturally, that of the Native lands, but this has developed into a national question, and may be left to the authorities to deal with in the main. Other things there are in plenty, worthy of attention, and it is time that organised efforts, both as regards town and country, were made to cope with them. The great question of roads has been already widely discussed, and the County Council has been striving hard to improve matters in this direction. The public should use e very endeavour to second the Council's efforts, and, if

necessary, advocate the establishment of a national system of roading, instead of the present method of departmental grants. The prosperity of this district is so dependent upon good roading, tint every effort should be made to secure the best. In other directions there is ample scope for work. The procuring of the best educational facilities in the back blocks ; railway facilities, including the appointment of station masters in the largest centres ; post offices and suitable Government buildings where necessary ; the establishment of a branch of the Advances to Settlers office. These things and many more have become necessary to the district, and may be obtained by the co-opera-tion of all. It must be remembered that it takes time and work to co-ope-rate, and each individual is equally responsible. It is to be hoped the King Country pioneers, both town and country, will unite in accepting the responsibilities attaching to the development of such a great and promising district as the Rohe Potae.