THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1908. TE KUITI LOAN PROPOSAL

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 81, 8 May 1908, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1908. TE KUITI LOAN PROPOSAL

"AS long as the universe exists there will be differences of opinion," is an oft-spoken platitude, the utterance of which usually betokens surprise at unlooked lor opposition. However, there can be little opposition to the proposal for borrowing money from the Government for the purpose of improving To Kuiti streets. To those interested the facts of the case are obvious. The streets are unformed. In winter the best of them are hardly fit lor traffic, being destitute of metal or drains, while the worst arc still swamps. Such a state of things may be excusable in the backblocks, where a remedy is next to impossible, but in a rapidly growing and prosperous railway town it is but fair to the residents to believe sueh conditions will only exist until it is possible to have them altered. Not unnaturally has the question of tenure cropped up with regard to the loan,

and any opposition tlie proposal may meet with will probably spring from this cause. It is unnecessary to go deeply into the matter of tenure, iurthcr than to urge all those desirous ot seeing it altered to support the lean to the utmost. it will be readily acknowledged that at present, or iii the immediate future, there is small chance of any alteration. Political strength lies in numbers. Population means power to make a political noise and keep on making it, which, according' lo Ministerial doctrine is the only way to reach the legislative ear. The only way to acquire the right sort of population is to improve the surroundings to a degree commensurate with the worth et the district. We have had ample evidence in the past of the weakness oi sparse population, and only by the unanimous and persistent ettort oi tlie greatest possible number can we hope to accomplish any political object, however worthy such may be. It should be borne in mmd that Te Kuiti is not alone in tlie matter of tenure. Otorohanga and Taumarunui exist under similar conditions, and any improvement which may be brought about will only be accomplished by the united efforts of all the towns affected. On the other hand the loan proposal is ol purely local importance. Moreover, it must be remembered the object is not the expenditure of money on large or expensive undertakings, which could be done without for a time ; it is the making of the town habitable ; the giving of access to sections on which rent is now being paid, without any possibility of return, until streets are formed or drained. Without the providing of money for really necessary work there is little hope of progress. The town must remain stagnant, an eyesore to every passer by, and a reproach to those who have the power to improve it. It may be argued that if left in the present state it will be an argument in favour of an alteration of tenure, but battles are not won that way. The adoption of such a course, however much the result might indicate the ignorance and apathy of the authorities originally responsible for the creation of the township, it would also remain a monument to the deplorable ineptitude of the residents, and stamp them as unworthy of consideration in respect to any request for less important objects than a change of tenure.

PARLIAMENTARY LEADERS AND THE KING COUNTRY. THE hope is again revived that the Premier will pay a visit to the King Country before next session of Parliament, and for every possible reason strenuous efforts should be made towards making the project take definite shape. Prominent among the reasons is the fact that one of the chief drawbacks to progress is the ignorance of Southern Ministers of the conditions governing the district. Hitherto the members of the Ministry have apparently been content with the information which has drifted through to them by channels, more or less reliable. The reliability of such information, like all hearsay evidence, would naturally depend upon circumstances, but with a Native Minister, notoriously apathetic, and possibly influenced in a given direction, it is safe to assume that the matter thus gleaned would be an altogether unsatisfactory basis upon which to inaugurate a policy. The admission of Mr McNab, during his recent visit, that he was unacquainted with local conditions, and would like to study our problems, was a fair indication of the attitude of the Ministry to the King Country. It may be contended that our political leaders have more weighty and important matters to engage them than the local affairs of any district, but considering how greatly dependent upon the Government is a new and progressive district for all its requirements, it is obviously the duty of those in power to acquire an intimate knowledge of the potentialities and requirements of such district. Moreover, the position of the King Country is unique, having become sn greatly through lack ol interest, or knowledge, on the part ol successive Governments, ami by grasping the opportunity o! remedying the position, the iYemier v/di be fuitiliing a ion l neglected duty. Problems without stint can be presented lor study, from abstruse quest ions m economics to the pressing even day needs oi metalled re.ids and departmental requirements. ihe former may he dispensed wain for treatment in generai, lan our and worihv oi iirst eonsidera; s m. The iirst necessity is to live, and we must unite to acquire our elementary needs, however we may differ on subsequent side issues. It is stated that Mr Massey, the Opposition l eader, intends delivering a political speech at Le Kuiti in the near future. Such a visit will doubtless be welcome from the iact that it gives prominence to our district, its needs, and prospects. And prominence in a political sense is usually a. strong lever in obtaining recognition for legitimate requirements. i