The Daily News. TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1905. TARANAKI'S POSITION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7795, 11 April 1905, Page 2

The Daily News. TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1905. TARANAKI'S POSITION.

o . Th« bump of destruction is, admittedly, largely developed in the majority of mankind, while in only a few i 3 to be found the constructive faculty. This is amply demonstrated in all the affairs of everyday life, but as a rulei matters adjust themselves or are set straight with more or lest* trouble, especially when the damage is only caused by the tongue, or that mightier weapon, the pen. If we were all fully endowed with wisdom and discretion there would bo no calumnies to, refutq, or canards to <juash. As it is, howevou, the duty of exposing misrepresentations, be they intentional or otherwise, not infrequently devolves on the pressi, and it occasionally happens that both the disease and the cure emanate from different sections of this same brotherhood. But it is exceptional to find a journal of high repute going out. of its way to discredit the district which it serves, and 1 by Indiscreet statements (rendered all the moro harmful by reason of the fount from which they have sprung) lead the outside world to taEe a false view of the district's financial position. This, we regret to stele, is the case in Taranakii, and -in common with our contemporaries w« regret that currency has, been given to an erroneous announcement made in a southern journal, that there is depression in this district. It would almost seem as if the bad example set by the leader of the Opposition in making; reckless statements as to the colony's finances was becoming au epidemic, but when the facts of both exses are examined ono can afford to smile at the puny efforts of the would-be destructive agents, because they are so devoid of foundation. Possibly those who do not know the resources of Taranakii might at first blush bo led astray, but a moment's consideration of the remarkable output of dairy produco should shatter a)J doubts ns to the stability of the district, Even with a backward' spring and a dry summer—two very potent elements—tbo exports of butter so far this season show an increase of nearly 24,000 boxes over the corresponding period last year, or something like £50,000 increase in value, Docs that point to a depression •? No sane person could answer in the afflrma* tive, particularly in view of the fact that this season has been adverse to good results, Ifn addition to this the freezing works at Moturoa and Waitaru have been rebuilt, the brcttkwatey and wharf are being enlarged out of revenue and the volume of trade as shown by shipping returns of imports and exports is demonstrated to be largely on tho increase. What then can possibly have •gjvpn rise to tho statement that a depression exjstcd'? Simply tho misuse of terms. The setpers. ,

like tho Government, have wisely taker* thfl state of the London money market a» an indication that judicious care should' be exercised jn their expenditure, and have acted accordingly. Moreover, the dairy industry has well settled down now, and some o( the producers, after supping themselves with home comforts, are putting aside a share of their profits for use in days to come, while others are paying off their mortgages. There are always some who live from hand to mouth, and it is fjfom these that the cry of -'wolf'' is £card, it" ratecdat all. Tlicre is not e,ven justification' in their case at present, provided tihey cut their coats accordtag to thoir cloth.- Ap a matter of fact the good prices which Jiaye beep the rule this- season for .'dairy prp.ilucpKavo benefitted -—thfcS" —fffstrict immensely, and although there has been a lull in town expansion, wßicH for tho past few years haa been so pronounced, this is not due jto any depression, but ratrier to The only drawback; that Bsts at present is the lower value stock, the natural outcome pf in production. This 1 remedy itself, and, being temporary matter, can in no pointed to as a sign ofdeOn the contrary, after ■■■ all possible allowances'/ Hrc is abundant evidence that the Bstrict is sound and prosperous—so much" so that it excites the envy pf other less favoured parts of the col o ny. : mi ii. if