NEW HIGHWAY

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 261, 20 November 1939, Page 1

NEW HIGHWAY

WHAKATANE AGITATION In a leading article, -the Whakatane Beacon states: “Mention of tho proposed new route of tho highway, and the part played by members of the Chamber of Commerce, in calling the public meeting which resulted in strong representations going forward to the Minister of Public Works has aroused considerable comment locally. There is every reason to, believe that Whakatano has not heard the- end of the proposal by any means. The Department has definitely decided! to put a new main highway through the East Coast centres, and when last in contact with the local authorities, was considering which course to take —via the Maraetotara. Gorge, or by the popular route proposed by tbe Whakatano residents—through the town, and by steady gradient over the bluff, to Otowairere and then by Ohope Reach through to Opotiki. The latter course waS the. endorsed opinion of the town as a whole, and while the P.W.D. continues with the construe-" tion of highways, there is.no reason in the wide world,, why the proposal should be'- dropped. It has become the fashion to forget local questions under the- stress and strain of the war emergency conditions, but the, country must go on. A set programme for the roading development of the Dominion as a whole has been passed and approved in the national budget of last year. An army of workmen assisted by the latest in modern devices for tho saving .of labour, are engaged the year round on the construction of now roads, better routes, shorter connections between point and point. This organisation is at the disposal of tho people, not merely until such a time as a war breaks out, but permanently. In view of the above there is every reason to expect that the important route to the East Coast has not been overlooked. From well-informed sources, we learn that the Hon. R. Semple proposes shortly to visit Whakataiic, with a view to inspecting the suggest-

cd alternatives. Should tin’s eventuate, then will he Wlnikatane’s opportunity to put forward its claims in no uncertain manner. As. a community with an eye' to the future, it would be folly to let any opening of this nature slip through our fingers. We are at present endeavouring to lay the foundations for a- greater and better town which wit]- become they homo and centre for an ever-iucreaseing volume of trade. Access is everything, and spells either progress or .stagnation. With a- possibility of a better and, more direct reading entrance to the town, presenting itself, here is an opportunity which cannot he left to> chance. When the Minister of Public Works visits the tojvn-it is therefore to he hoped) that businessmen generally wi)l recognise this and make the strongest—: representations possible. •