A BACKBLOCKS ASSOCIATION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 471, 5 June 1912, Page 4

A BACKBLOCKS ASSOCIATION.

A movement which emanates from the King Country, and which may be m:u.rfed as the natural outcome of the opening up of such an extent of new country is the formation of a Backblocks Local Bodies Association. The title is sufficiently comprehensive to embrace many local bodies far removed frnni the King Country, but presumably the intention is to combine for their mutual advantage all the local hoiiies in or near the Rohe Potae. In the King Country alone during the past few years there have sprung into existence no less than four separate eotinfies, two boroughs, and several town districts, and there is little

doubt, the near future will see a considerable increase to the number. On the fringes of these counties are other lot■ a 1 bodies operating under Bimilar renditions, having Bimilar problemß to ::clv(> ,md like intereßtß to conserve. It in therefore altogether natural :>nd commendable that these local bodies should desire toco-operate, with the object of mutually working out the di stiny of a great and rapidly growing ' district. In such movements are to be found the genesis of real progress, and ; it is altogether beyond argument that great and lasting good is to be attained by the periodical conference of representatives from the various baak* block districts. A common need; a» common aim; and a united effort can b4 safely regarded as more likely to achieve widespread benefit than could ever bo achieved by individual effort, however well directed. If the voice in the wilderness is to be heard to effect it has to be the combined voice of a great people, and such a chorus could be rung out by the backblocks of the North Island that it would be heard from end to end of the Dominion. The movement, as yet, is in the air, but we trust no time will be lost In developing it into effective action. Make haste to da good can aptly bo applied to such a commendable suggestion. Any action in the direction of co-operating our public efforts should meet with uananimouß support, and we have little fear as to the outcome of the suggestion to combine the back blocks local bodies.