The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1904. NEW PLYMOUTH OR TARANAKI.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 67, 23 March 1904, Page 2

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1904. NEW PLYMOUTH OR TARANAKI.

"What's in a naim 1 ? Seemingly there's ft tfoori deal in it, and the .Christmas Carnival Executive is at present exercised as to the naming of the function, which is now taking an important place in the affairs of the j town. To many people it matters little, ami they would be quite con- j tent if there were no name at all, provided the carnival is a success. ) But the advertising committee and thoughtful people generally attach lo this a good deal of importance. There arc those who would indifferently vote for one title or another, without weighing the matter at all, whilst others are cudgelling their brains, somewhat unnecessarily perhaps, in their great interest in curnival nomenclature. On this mutter there is a difference of opinion—a very healthy sign. Notice has been M'iven that at the executive meeting next, week Mr Uellringvr will move that the function be called "The New Plymouth Carnival and Exhibition of Art and Industries." An amendment will l>o forthcoming that the words "New Plymouth" he deli-ted. and the word "Taranaki" inserted in 1 heir stead. To deal with thv amendment first, it i.s claimed that the alTair is of a provincial nature, ami of provincial importance, ami i( is also pointed out that the name I aranaki will be more high-sounding and attract more notice from tin* outside public. There seems some ground lor Ihe argument, for of course Tarunaki is more widely known tlvan the name of an any .single town in the district, but hero the supporters must stop. Not much more can be said in favour of the amendment, unless a side wind is introduced. For our part, we cannut see that the promoters of this affair have any claim to the provincial appellation, because the carnival and exhibition are not the outcome oi a district movement, but have been organised by the people of New Plymouth in the interests of ihe town. No provincial committee has been set up, und it cannot be said that other towns in Ihe district areas yet intensely interested, or likely lo guarantee anything towurds the success of the carnival. The population in other centres will act purely on lscariotic principle, and will patronise the alTuir, not because of a sense of duty or from interest in its success, or from a belief that their districts will be benelit»rd, but simply because the amusements provided hetv will be the most attracti\e and the most accessible to the people in the whole of this and adjoining counties. The old opinion that New Plymouth and its immediate surrounding country comprise Taranaki has been exploded, and fortunately so. Jt seems but yesterday that Jfawery looked upon the northern end of the province as Taranaki, and .viewed with disfavour any movement emanating from this district. Ah year after year went on the interests of north and south became mutual, until to-day we find lhat the old provincial name can be freely applied to anv portion of the district. Probably the old conservatism of New Plymouth can be traced down through Jhe present generation and into the existing movement to term this the Taranaki Carnival. Its advocates claim that everyone will know that the carnival is being held in New Plymouth. J.s it .so well-known that tin- Taranaki Kegatla is held here, that tin* Taranaki liugby Pnion holds iis meetings in this the capital town, or that the North Taranaki Caledonian Society holds ils gatherings here ? '1 his would be a grievous misapprehension. seeing thai these institutions have th-'ir headquarters in other centres. To come to the other side of the question, the term suggested by Mr Bellringer. This style i.s one that has our hearty support, in the first place it must be pointed out that the idea was iirst mooted amongst New Plymouth people foi the 'benefit of Ihe town and the attraction of visitors, brought up iu the New Plymouth Borough Council, thrashed into shape at. a meeting of New Plymouth citizens, and is now taken in hand by an energetic committee having the interests of New Plymouth as the great propelling power. The carnival is lo be held at New Plymouth, and the people of the town are readily subscribing the necessary funds to carry on the management, and ul Imm t ely advertise <iiid bencli! New Plyrnouih and thvinselves directly or indirect-

ly. What better way of town Ix'lorr I In- pul.lir, than to have the frn-al event discussed in eomm> li'Ht uitli (he itaeir of .W\v t'/v----mmith ; to .so work as to have the name. ••Tin. l New Plymouth Carnival ami Kxliiliilion ninivd i«, throughout tile lentji h and hn-adl j] nf fhe

| colony, direct - people at. otue | to tlie scene of 1 lie Test ivil irs ? Who jam the people in wlmse i n I i-ivsl s 1 lie carnival was lirslwho have been cornier,le<J wilh th<* movement tVom (ho eoiunienrnueiit will remember that the. idea was Ir. rndeav:e.ir to keep (.lie people. licir jii oniei' that the tntdespooplo might Iwncfit from the Christmas. cash Iraciq wixicji was bq rabidly, docr.cas-

ing;, owin'g to tlio fac£ that townspeople were being forced to go else- j where for amusement during the fes- ; t*ve season, Seeing Hint New Plymouth gentlemen alone are interesting themselves in the matter, and thai the carnival and exhibition have been organised for the pecuniary lienelit of the townspeople and [ to attract and entertain the outside public a! this already ni tractive senside resort, the designation " New Plymouth Carnival and Exhibition of Art and Industries'* forces )lsi l lf union our mind as eminently suitable.