The Kaipara & Waitemata ECHO WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE KAIPARA ADVERTISER & WAITEMATA CHRONICLE" HELENSVILLE, THURSDAY, MAY 13TH. SELFISHNESS OR LAZINESS

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 13 May 1920, Page 2

The Kaipara & Waitemata ECHO WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE KAIPARA ADVERTISER & WAITEMATA CHRONICLE" HELENSVILLE, THURSDAY, MAY 13TH. SELFISHNESS OR LAZINESS

IN a certain town recently a meeting called for the betterment of the town was addressed by a business man as follows : " It makes me sick to hear business people say they have not the time to spend an hour or two at a meeting calculated to advance their town and likewise their personal interest." Those words are quite true, and it is also a fact we have many here who do not take any interest in public affairs. The past week has afforded a typical instance of what a lot of people are content to stay away from important meetings, satisfied to let the other fellow do all that is necessary. The annual meeting of the A. and P. Association .could not attract a quorum (20) out of a membership of 200 odd, despite the fact that the annual show is one of the biggest assets this district has, and its interests are — or should be —the interests of everyone of the settlers and business people of the district. But this dislike to attending meetings is by no means confined to show members. Nearly every meeting that has been called lately has either "frozen >r or lapsed. Whether it is for town welfare, sport, or any other purpose, the result is invariably the same. The memorial meetings, stretched out over a long period, were never more than sparsely attended. The Returned Soldiers' Association started off

with a great burst of speed, but after the novelty had worn off, attendances at meetings diminished to half a dozen. Football has had the same experience, and even golfing enthusiasts prefer to stay away from their annual meeting. The fact of the matter is, the majority of the inhabitants look to the faithful few to. organise things and do all the work. They overlook the sterling fact that it is every man's duty to devote a little time to the affairs of the town in which he dwells and is dependant upon. His residence demands this small obligation, and he should make it a strong point to leave the town better than he found it. Settlement here dates back for over fifty years, but progress has not been very marked compared with age. and the blame for this can be traced to the many who have never spent an hour of their time in trying to make the town a better place to live in, in the direction of assisting the few willing ones who start things, to " carry on." What is wanted to put things on a better footing here is united effort and a great deal less selfishness on the part of the community who are disposed to reap the benefit of other people's energies. When the majority take an interest in local affairs and institutions, instead of the minority, as at present, the whole community will feel the benefit.