The Manamatu Herald. SATURDAY. APRIL 6. 1895. "What's in a Name"

Manawatu Herald, 6 April 1895, Page 2

The Manamatu Herald. SATURDAY. APRIL 6. 1895. " What's in a Name "

Trb discussion now going on to find a new name for Palmeraton North leads to the above query. There ih a good deal in a name and for the sake of our sister town we regret that the Act passed last session was pushed through in such a heedless manner ; but that it was so must be laid to the door of the Ministry. Palmeraton North has during many years pushed itself ahead from an unknown village to a welUknown country town and now, at a serious point of its existence, the Government propose to blot it out, just as the Minister of Labour would like to blot ont the " Social Pests " in the country. When our much admirf £ Liberal Government go to work at legislation nothing will stop them, the objections of supporters, the warning of opponents, the advice of tht press, rU are anhetded, for have

not they, the united wisdom of the Party, had these Acts prepared and who dare to say them nay? To insist upon business men* who have spent much money, upon pitbltoly advertising their calling and place of business, upsetting all their past exertions and calling upon them to commence anew, appears to be the \ery hefohth of recklessness. If, and no doubt, it is> necessary to have no conflict in the names in the future we think that what has been permitted for years might Btill be allowed to remain. If any change was to be insisted upon it stands to reason that it should be done so that the least inconvenience should be caused. Palmers ton South is a much smaller place than Palaaeraton North so that its inhabitants would be put to less inconvenience by changing the name of their town. Hasty legislation in this matter like so many other Acts passed by the present Government, has brought about this most undesirable state of matters, and to those who are now discovering that this Act of the Government is not so advantageous as they appear to View those Acts relating to others and about which ihey know nothing, or little to nothing, the action may be of much use in opening their eyes. We would rather see Palmerston North permitted to retain the name which it has honoured by the energy and push of its inhabitants, but if the Government force a change we hope better counsels will prevail with its townspeople than to fall from the frying-pan — Palmerston North, into the fire of — Manawatu. To this name our friends have no title, as the real district, once known as the Manawatu has been so divided that half-a-dozen different places could equally fairly lay claim to it. In justice to the district we trust the Northern Palmerstonians in being filched of their good name will not further lose it by trying to take some other to which they have no right.