The Daily News. SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 1914. THE GATEWAY OF TARANAKI.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 21, 13 June 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 1914. THE GATEWAY OF TARANAKI.

It was a happy idea, of tile promoters of the function in celebration of the berthing of the lirst direct steamer at New PI) mouth to arrange- for visitors from the outside districts to view the work that has been done and is going 011 at Moturoa, and the Walkurc lying snugly and safely at the wharf whilst the holds were being rapidly relieved of the uig cargo of basic slag. It was an object lesson in its way, and did more to stamp the success of the harbor upon the minds of the visitors than columns of print or hours of oratory. As one speaker said at the subsequent function, it silenced all criticism as to the success of the port. There was the boat lying in a berth of 33ft at low water spring tide, with another ten or twelve feet more at high tide, having had not the slightest trouble in negotiating the fairway and in berthing. It was but an earnest of what is bound to come in the near future. The biggest vessels at present trading to the Dominion could just as safely and comfortably berth alongside the wharf at Moturoa as the Walkure—if the owners of the big ships so minded. Mr. Maxwell, in Ms speech ar tho luncheon, remarked that we already possessed more water than many harbors that are recognised as deep-sea harbors, and that our berthing is superior to that of Timaru, a statement which is perfectly justified, yet the shipping companies are very tardy about meeting the Taranaki people, who have had to help themselves in the matter of securing ships in the face of Opposition which cannot be considered wenk. The big companies evidently do not desire to help Taranaki in obtaining shipping facilities further than they arc obliged to, though, now that the powerful ring they have contrived to create is threatened wit'k opposition from Germany, they may perhaps be more amenable to reason, and show an inclination not to burk local trade, but to promote it. But whatever they do, no shipping ring is going to prevent our trade development. Taranaki has at great expense and selfsacrifice, and with a determination wholly commendable, provided a harbor lit enough to accommodate the biggest vessels. It has had faith in tile port and in itself. And with good reason. It has made gigantic strides during the past decade, but nothing compared with the development of the future. Speakers at yesterday's luncheon showed this clearly. With the use of hotter and more scientific methods the produce from the present area can be quadrupled. Even then we, with our great advantages, would not equal the results Becured from the naturally poverty-striken land iu Denmark. But we have a great deal of land which has yet to come into cultivation and be put into dairying or grazing. As Mr. Newton King stated,

I anyone spending a few days in tile hinterland of the province mil return convinced absolutely of the big future ahead of the province and its main door, the Moturoa harbor, as well as in the capital town. The leaders of Taranaki—most of therrv, we were pleased to see, were at yesterday's function—are not the type of men to be pushed back or thwarted in what they believe is for tue advantage of the and, having secured a first-class harbor, iu the face |O c great physical difficulties and the 'most bitter opposition, they will not be content until the district is in full enjoyment of the benefits accruing from direct communication with the markets of the world. That is the point upon which they no doubt will concentrate. The Walkure has pioneered the way, and we hope we may soon have the pleasure of chronicling the fact that a regular overseas service has been inaugurated.