PUTARURU PROBLEMS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 229, 22 March 1928, Page 5

PUTARURU PROBLEMS.

C STUDY OF FACTS NECESSARY.

!L.ocal Advantage Which is Gold Mine.

Grasping the Shadow, Losing the Substance.

hi. Many instances may be found in a country’s history where a township has failed to < take advantage of the opportunities offered it, and a nearby settlement has sprung up and forced ahead, until it has outdistanced its older rival. Such cases may be found up and down the country, and more particularly in the North Island, the i causes being many and varied. A railway has been lost by sheer stupidity and lack of agreement, or the rail has come to a dead-end; land has been kept locked up, or the inhabitants have failed to provide amenities for the country customers. Many such faults have been displayed by \ early settlers in some settlements, , due to their narrow outlook, with the result that though often they began with many'advantages, they were left . in the commercial race by less fav- ] oured settlements composed of more , far-seeing and pushful men. , Such a policy is generally due to , the fact that many people fail to see the necessity for co-operation with regard to municipal and business activities. They are content to scratch along earning a bare recompense, and , never give a thought to the wider aspect of community life. So steeped are they in this narrow view that without knowing it they often do themselves injury. Always, however, they are losing golden opportunities. A Hoary Axiom. •It is a hoary axiom that unity is strength, yet many people despite this well-known fact seem to religiously disregard it, and give the impression that they prefer disruption in regard to the affairs of the settlement as a whole. Sometimes this is due to sheer selfishness, at other times due to the intense economic struggle clouding the ! vision, but mostly it would appear to be solely due to lack of thought. I That this is so is illustrated by the 1 following incident: j To secure his daily paper, a man j entered the shop of a man he knew well on Wednesday afternoon. He usually got his newspaper from another agent who, however, never opened for such dealings on the weekly half-holiday. Just as he entered an earlier arrival asked for a paper, and was informed that they were “ sold out.” The friend then also turned to go, with a murmured comment, when he was called back. When the first customer was out of earshot a paper was produced and handed over. “ Why, I thought you said they were all sold? ” the shopkeeper was asked. “ Oh, no,” was the reply, “ but he is one of Blank’s customers, and I don’t see why I should oblige him on Wednesday afternoons.” A foolish and narrow view true, but one which is, in many aspects, very common nevertheless, as those who have eyes to see know. Such means of competition are far more frequently adopted than is generally realised, and are nearly always caused through the narrow outlook being taken. When it was pointed out that, from a purely business point of view, if anyone should be served weU and made a fuss of it was the other fellow’s customers, the point was readily conceded, and, let us hope, stored up for future use. Grasping the Shadow It is simply through such lack of appreciation of the main object of shop-keeping, and the close concentration on minor details, that such mistakes are made. Similarly many others in a greater or lesser degree, so concentrate on their own business affairs in their efforts to succeed in life, that they lose the advantages of the larger aspect, by failing to note the gains which can be made by joining in with their neighbour, and at times competitor, in a community pull. Community work in business has two advantages. It assists all by pushing the town ahead, and it gives the keen businessman an opportunity to exchange idea with his fellows and to sharpen his wits against their’s. It is by so combining that strength is gained. Unfortunately the results which accrue from such strength are not always recognisable by the man in the street, and thus there is not the lever there should be -for support of

a Chamber of Commerce or such institution. For instance, better facilities at the railway station, improved mail services, and other such factors all assist every businessman, and are often taken as a matter of course when in reality they are the result of the prolonged labours of a few who have been fighting an uphill battle. Every Town Has Assets. Quite distinct from these general advantages which accrue to all towns where healthy support is given to local institutions, there is the question of the peculiar advantages which circumstances have conspired to place within the reach of a community. Putaruru is well-blessed with these, and the greatest has apparently not ; been realised or has only been talked of in a desultory fashion. Few residents will believe that £50,000 in hard cash is going a-begging; yet this is so, and if this figure is increased to £70,000 or £BO,OOO it would be nearer the mark. Who wants a share of it? Well, if anyone is interested here are the facts. The N.Z. Perpetual Forests, Ltd., have for the past few years been the biggest boon Putaruru has had. So far as is possible the whole of their immense trade has been given to local shopkeepers, and when it is mentioned that their provision stores hill alone amounts to £IOOO per month all the year round some idea of the value of their total trade will be gained. That such business is greatly appreciated goes without saying, and as this business is well spread out amongst as many as possible, it is greatly valued by most businesses in the town. A Local Gold Mine*. There is greater business than this, however, which may yet be done, but 1 hecause it is in a more intangible ! form, and does not come direct from ' the company’s administrative office in Putaruru, it has not been appreciated to the extent it should be, and as yet no organised effort has been made to secure it. If such is done, we feel convinced from remarks already made, that every assistance will be given by the company to any wellorganised effort to this end. The benefit to local businesses which will accrue are obvious.

The facts are as follows: During the coming winter the N.Z. Perpetual Firests, Ltd., will employ approximately 1000 planters, all working towards Tokoroa. Each of these is paid 2s per hour, and will work 48 hours in a week. This means a payment of £9600 in wages every fortnight, or £19,200 a month, making a total of £96,000 for the season. Allowing a reduction of from £16,000 to £20,000 for payment of camp tucker accounts and odds and ends, there is a balance of, in round figures, from £76,000 to £BO,OOO of wages remaining for trading and other purposes. It may be said that such floating balances will go to the few instead of to the many, hut after all this is but a defeatist’s attitude. The more who share, of course the greater the benefit, but the main object is to secure the bulk trade. If that comes the town is so much the richer, and sooner or later all must share even if indirectly in the increased business. The point is one for business firms to look into, and if properly handled, we feel sure that success will be achieved, and the coming winter one of the most prosperous yet experienced in Putaruru.

Most country people seem to be against “ Sidey Time,” but one farmer’s wife is reported to have said that she liked it because the extra hour of sunlight did her tomatoes a lot of good.