“OUR HOME TOWN.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3050, 19 June 1926, Page 2

“OUR HOME TOWN.”

INSPIRING SPEECH BY RETURNED SOLDIER. In proposing the toast of “Our Home Town,” at the recent Returned Soldiers re-union, Mr. M. B. Berg-in, a returned soldier, handled the subject in a manner which merits full publicity. He said the large muster present was convincing proof of the patriotism of our citizens and the value of our home town to the country in times of war. As they had been rehabilitated in civil life he said he would confine his remarks to civil affairs and in so doing would call attention to the many advantages possessed by Foxton and so frequently overlooked or lost sight of by ourselves, its citizens, as well as by strangers. Situated on the main highway and on the banks of the Manawatu River with its illimitable possibilities, and on the fringe of what is probably the largest flax producing area,in the Dominion, to say nothing of the fertile farming land on its southern and eastern boundaries. Foxton enjoys many natural advantages which well might he the envy of any other town. It has been so richly endowed by nature that now it merely requiries the right stamp of enterprising citizen to insure its entry upon an era of progress and prosperity. We hear, lie said, a great deal about the town going back and nothing will do a community more harm than a spirit of pessimism pervading its people. But what are the facts: Many of you knew this town before the war, and if you will compare the town as you knew it then, with the town of to-day, you will soon realise the' strides made in such a hort time. Even since the termination of the war the water and drainage system has been installed in the greater portion of the residential area, the electric light and power transmission lines traverse the length and breadth of the borough, the main street lias practically been rebuilt on up-to-date plans, and we enjoy all conveniences demanded by a highly civilised community. We have a surplus of playing areas and recreation grounds and every form of sport known to us as a nation is fostered and catered for. Now that motor transport lias established itself and will most assuredly 1 continue to grow, Foxton, being on the Main Highway, is again on the map. and its advantages, as well as its existence, will he forced upon the minds of the travelling publie, to whom, in the past, it has l)oen merely a name. There is a good deal of truth in the old proverb, continued Mr. Bergin, that “Familiarity breeds contempt,” and wo who live in Foxton and enjoy its conveniences are apt to overlook its advantages. But he assiued them that the town is just as good as it must have appeared to them on many occasions during the dark days of 101(5, 17, and 18. t is up to vou, eamradeshe _ concluded, “to take part in promoting the welfare of our town and district and if you will show the same esprit de corps and energy in the commercial and social life of the community as you displayed in the New Zealand Division, 'our little town will, in a few short years, compare as favourably with any other small town in the Dominion as our Division compared with the best fighting units in the British or Allied forces. If is up to you to pledge yourselves to that objective in drinking this toast of ‘‘Our Home Town./” (Applause).