Public Opinion.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 306, 19 September 1929, Page 1

Public Opinion.

(A COLUMN FOR THE PEOPLE) ; “BUY IN PUTARUEU.” “ (To the Editor). Sir,—Congratulations on your timely article in last week’s Press. As citizens, business people and property owners in Putaruru, let us start right now with the slogan, “ Buy in Putaruru.” Supposing that it does cost a fraction more, the small extra cost is well out of proportion to the saving effected when

one adds the often conveniently forexpenses, such as postage, exchange, freight and the railway fares to other towns. Then what thanks do we get for building up the business and property of towns where we have no property or interest? If we pay a little more is it not worth it when we are building up- our own town ? More business done in the town means more business houses, better stocks and better service. Don’t •worry over the little extra cost of to-day, the competition 1 of to-morrow Will adjust that. ' I can say without fear of contradiction that the goods, service and the shops in Putaruru are five times better than they were five years ago. How nice and convenient to drop into town and get what you want, better than having to race off to an ad- . joining town for your bread and butter. -

Now, Mr. and Mrs. Outsidebuyer, you must admit that you look to the lccal business people for your daily supply, so why not give them your extra business and requirements ? They can do with it, and by and by this little extra will mean additional local stocks to meet your immediate Wfcquirements. ' Buy in Putaruru. Be loyal to your home town. This brings us to another phase in the question. The first sight of PuI to-day, a straggling and untidy town, would frighten any keen buyer away. The business men of a town are aften judged by the civic appearance of the place, which, to say .the least of it does an injustice to the premises in the town. On the subject of main road and street improvements our Town Board keeps us in the dark. Why ? Are we not entitled to know? The Town Board and Highways Board appear to be at logger-heads. Why ? If not, why 4 do they not get our main roads and footpaths done? Why can we not get any information as to the exact position? Press reports of meetings do not appear to have referred to this subject, and individual members of the board do not know or will not tell.

Rumour has it that the work can- i not proceed for want of levels, yet Princes and adjoining streets can have the footpaths kerbed and channelled, while the other side of the town, practically flat, is left neglected. What is the reason for this? Just look at the disgraceful mess around our post office after a few plays’ rain. It would be a horrible unkindly thing to think of the i members who have nice footpaths 1 past their shops. Just why was the subject of traffic _h signs passed over and turned down? Is the work on the roads to be started soon? If not, could not a few signs be easily shifted? Are the members of the Town Board still married to overhead bridges and subways? Are the affairs of the Town Board those of a secret society? Is it not high time that the ratepayers had a little more information from its board of business managers? in order that people may be encouraged to live and buy in Putaruru. I am, etx:., SEEKER OF INFORMATION.