ADVANCE FOXTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2560, 27 March 1923, Page 2

ADVANCE FOXTON.

[By Veritas.] “Let Foxton prosper” — a capital slogan. But 1 oxton will never prosper unless there is a driving force behind it. Whence this driving force? I answer an awakened citizenship which means an alertness in civic affairs and a willingness to make our little town attractive and thereby increase its public assets. The Mayor or Councillor who is always croaking about the increase in rates when any necessary public convenience is advocated should be banned from public life. Such an one is as a broken cog in the wheel of progress. He is to he shunned equally with the citizen whose eternal cry is “stinking fish.” A climate second to none in the Dominion, with natural attractions envied by most towns yet we lack faith and citizenship is dormant. Do we expect public baths, rest room for women, footpaths, and beautifying schemes to drop upon us from the heavens: We would think so to hear some people talk Consider the water and drainage scheme. Is it not a fact that the Health authorities forced this upon us? The loan for this work was carried at the point of the bayonet. All these things cost money Who denies it? But against the cost there are the benefits Some people forget the benefits. This may he due to a lack of vision or a miserly spirit. Pray consider for a moment. Every scheme for the advancement of the town increases the public asset and the value of individual property. This is a selfevident fact. Take the man who improves his home by cultivating a garden, providing conveniences, and giving his house a periodical coat of paint. Does that increase or diminish his asset? Contrast this with the home of the indolent citizen! See the point? Now apply this to the community spirit. It needs no further elaboration. Your Mayor and Councillors must, first of all, be men of vision and faith in their home town, courageous and imbued with progressive ideas in order to inspire and give a lead to their fellow citizens —not “hibernators” who awaken for an hour or two, now and again, and who fear to ask posterity to share in the completion and cost of the benefits they enjoy. “Let Foxton prospei*” and cheerfully pay a little more in rates, if need be, to make it moi-e attractive and prosperous. The time is rotten ripe for an awakening. The elections’ are at hand. Start right now by a scrutiny of the qualifications of your Mayor and City Councillors. Make a wise choice by returning only the most progressive men in the town to poll us out of the ruck.