Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, JULY 19, 1898. Help Yodrself.

Manawatu Herald, 19 July 1898, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, JULY 19, 1898. Help Yodrself.

Quite lately we have had a very satisfactory illustration of the fine old adage that Heaven helps those who help themselves, in the manner in which the Mayor, following a suggestion made in these columns, secured reliable information as to the price of flax for the benefit of the millers. In this case it only required combination on the part of those duly elected to represent the settlers to secure their wishes, and as in this case, so in others, can much be done by a public body having a real interest in the work there is for them to do. No one expects everything to be done at once, as the Chief art of a Minister or a public official is to arrange to do as little new as he can, and only to do anything when he is perfectly certain the public will insist upon its being done. This may appear to be a harsh way of describing a fact, but it is undoubtedly the rule of public departments to attempt no innovation except those they are convinced by public representation, are really desired. Another successful illustration of the value of pulling together is to be found in the Wirokino Bridge, which, though not at present built, has reached a stage so close to the driving of the first pile that it can be reckoned an accomplished fact, unless, which we do not think is likely, the Government betray their supporter, our represehta- j tive, and omit to put the vote for the subsidy upon the estimates. It stands out very clear, whatever may be the final stage of the negotiations, that the persistent urging of a public man, our Mayor, supported loyally by his Council, has prevailed over the doubts and difficulties made by the neighbouring local bodies. All this, therefore, goes to show how much may be accomplished for the improvement of a district which has a leader to suggest and earnest public men to assist. It must be evident that we want many more, advantages than we possess, and the urging of a shed on the wharf, and the preservation of the flax on the Motoa Estate are two of them. These matters have been properly brought under the notice of Ministers, but unless an early and satisfactory reply is received, more energetic steps must be taken. There must be no going back, we must try and try again, and if that is done properly we are inclined to back persistency to win. Too many schemes must not be run at once, though in the more stirring days of past years it was always looked upon as a wise act to ask for a great deal more than one expected to get. The Borough Council should, however, not forget that at present they have taken no steps to urge the Traffic Manager of the Railway Department to run excursion trains in conjunction with our river steamers. This we trust they will do at their next meeting, as any advantage gained by the owners of the steamers must indirectly be of advantage to the town. The matters we have referred to are all public matters which are well within the scope of the authority of the Borough Councillors to deal with, but we shall have more to say presently on how private combination may work much towards increasing the general earnings of the inhabitants without either going into amateur storekeeping or working on uncalled capital.