CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2871, 16 April 1925, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —I was a little amused to read in your last issue a tirade & somewhat, paradoxically signed ‘‘Progress,” which, while purporting to utter a clarion call to residents and ratepayers to rise up and give a mighty heave in the cause of progress at the coming municipal elections, was one of the most dismal and pessimistic effusions that have lately come under my notice. Were it not for the fact that we ourselves are the happy residents of this bright little town, we would

be in danger of being led to believe by “Progress’ ” pessimism that Foxton is not what it really is—a sound, clean, and up-to-date borough. By an intelligent method of comparison with other boroughs of its size in the Dominion, Poxton can readily hold its own, and all patriotic Foxtonites are proud at all times of an opportunity of displaying to visitors the creditable town which we call “home.” Progress, it might be pointed out, is much a matter of circumstance, and while we can pass over the slighting (insulting) references made to the gratuitous (and to the eommonsense person, valuable) services of present and past borough councillors, it would seem necessary to make a few brief statements, that they might in some measure act as a' .stimulant, to “Progress’ ” powers of thought, and as a clarifying agent to his mental vision. A community, like a private person, must assuredly live within its means, otherwise the result is obvious. Locality has a great influence upon the growth and progress of a town. Foxton, like other places, is subject to this rule, and all the effusions and tirades written will not alter one jot the economic position of our town. Prosperity is not a matter of spending money on wharves, factories, waterways or railways in the hope that they may be put to some use, but rather that the conditions existing contiguous to the locality demand that such works be undertaken. Over these circumstances our borough council or harbour board, as such, have little influence, but as individuals toiling in their private capacities as farmers, merchants, millers, or whatnot, they may create a condition of wealth (products) that demands and justifies big undertakings by local governing bodies. Side by side almost with “Progress’” remarks in Tuesday’s issue is to be seen an article describing the new appointments recently completed by the Harbour Board. This new building shows that progress in accordance with legitimate requirements is being observed by the Board, and to any sane person is sufficient in itself to discredit the ramblings about Board members being incompetent. As regards past and present borough councils, the great majority of ratepayers are quite satisfied that their interests are being studied equally as well by their own representatives as are those of ratepayers in other boroughs. It is unfortunate that the columns of any newspaper should be used by a person apparently not gifted with the necessary intellectual poise, who scatters abuse broadcast and shows but little loyalty to his own fine little town. Thanking you.—Yours, etc., INTROSPECT.