THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 1908. THE PREMIER'S VISIT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 86, 12 June 1908, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 1908. THE PREMIER'S VISIT.

THE approaching visit of the Premier to the King Country is fraught with great possibilities, as far as the progress of the district is concerned, and no effort should be spared to make known local conditions and requirements. In performing this duty we have also to bear in mind what is due in the way of welcome to the head of the Government of the Dominion. By extending a courteous and considerate hospitality to the party we do honour to a distinguished statesman who has served his country well, and credit to a growing district which is des-

tined to exercise in future a much greater influence, both commercially and politically, than has hitherto been the case. However, the Premier's visit is not tor the sake of entertainment, or for the gratification of idle curiosity ; it is in deference to the express wish of the people, supported by the influence of Mr Jennings, who has been indefatigable in his efforts to advance the claims, and secure due recognition for his electorate. The King Country is a goodly heritage. Its natural resources are unrivalled, and its ultimate prosperity beyond dispute. However, jts requirements are legion, and its present backward condition is undoubtedly due, to a large extent, to ignorance of local conditions on the part of those in authority. By endeavouring to dispel that igno-

ranee, ventilate the grievances, and display the potentialities of the district, we arc doing much in the cause oi ])i'o,!;"i"ess. Sir Joseph Ward is an aide business man to whom common sense argument* appeal, and in no district of the Dominion are r.minion sense mctivwis of finance and public work more eetessaw than in the Kobe Potac. Roads, railways, township tenure, and the man)' other matters affecting the. district should be deali with in the broadest spirit, and by treating them from a national standpoint, without forgotiiiig their local significance, we are using the most convincing arguments to attain the desired ir>A(\. There are other departmental questions which are deserving of attention, and which will (feckless be urged by representativefrom the various localities. file opportunity should not be lost o\ placing these matters before the Premier, whose interest and sympathy may be counted upon in stirring the departments to action. In addition, there are questions upon which all sections of the community should meet on a common ground, and join hand in hand to support. The subject of roads it is needless to urge. On all sides we are confronted with one or other phase of the question, and, in the interests of the back country ; of the towns. and of the Dominion, the necessity of an active and common sense reading policy should he advocated, and mged whs no uncertain sound. The iuimv o! our townships will doubtless be given prominence, and in a national sense, apart from the local aspect, the question is of immense importance. The interests involved are great- far greater than is commonly supposed--as despite the value of the Native lands suitable for farming, only a casual knowledge of the distinct is required to demonstrate the fact that the value of township lands is infinitely greater in a monetary sense. Moreover, it is universally felt that the time lias arrived for an equitable adjustment of the situation, and in the interests of all it is to be hoped the subject will be fittingly dealt with.

SANITATION. Apparently Te Kuiti residents have not yet awakened to the fact that their town is growing at what is probably a greater rate than any other country town in the Dominion. Judging from the lethargy in connection with the institution of the sanitary service, there was no idea thai the place had ever grown or was likely (o grow any further, as it was oniy upon the active intervention ot the Health Department officials that the majority bestirred themselves sufficiently to lake any steps to fall into line. This is not as it should be, and the sooner the residents realise their responsibility with regard to sanitation, the better tor the whole community. In all countries with any claim 1o civdixation, one of the chief features oi local government is die mailer o! saniiation, and inevitably it is found that (he higher die civilization of a people, the Ik-Ikt and

more efiicicn! is (he sanitat Cn oi the community. In plain language, dirt means disease, ami the fi cer from dirt a. town is ken! the freer front disease will it be. So general is the recognition <>!' this doctrine that it seems superfluous to state it. However, in framing the "Public Health Act," and its amendments, the Government evidently recognised j the fact that people in general are prone lo attribute disease to Providence rather ihan co-ope-rate and take any active stops to prevent it. The King Country centres are making rapid growth and the time is fast approaching when comprehensive sanitary measures will be necessary in order to safeguard the public health. Fortunately, in the Public Health Department we have an active agency working tor the common good, and, by takingadvantage of the provisions o\ the " Public Health Amendment Act, 1903," the local body, by paying a small subsidy, can obtain the services of the inspector of the Department. Obviously, in centres such as Te Kuiti and Otorohanga, the appointment of inspectors by the local authority is superfluous when the services of a departmental official can be obtained at a nominal cost. Moreover, an outside official is less likely to be influenced Invested interests, which affect, to some degree, the actions of a. local official. A further advantage gained by vesting the Co- j vernment Inspector with authori- | ty to take action under the laws '< of the local body, lies in the faci j that where it is necessary for the Inspector to bring a case before the Court, if such actio!) is taken under the by-laws, the expense is nominal, whereas, if action is taken by the Department, (ho Crown Solicitor is engaged for the prosecution and legal expenses are thus added to the amount of any fine which is imposed for the offence, As the desired end is usually attained by the imposition of a small fine, and the publicity attaching to the ease, the advantage of action by the local

authority is manifest. The situation is worthy of attention by the County Council, and it is to be hoped the question will be considered by that body at an early dale.