The Daily News. SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 1915. THE OUTLOOK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 181, 9 January 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 1915. THE OUTLOOK.

A correspondent, signing himself ''Optimist,'' writing in the "News"' of Wednesday, stated that during the recent holidays lie had met a visitor having a knowledge of all parts of the world, who expressed the view that he had never yet been in a place so lavishly provided by Nature as Xew Plymouth, nor in a place where the inhabitants were so pessimistic regarding the district's present and future prospects. We had hopes that ere this the possibilities and potentialities of the district had become manifest to even the most pessimistic and conservative of our people, and that they were evincing a little more confidence both in Xew Plymouth and the surrounding district. There is no ground for pessimism; none at all. On the contrary, there is every justification for optimism. If the inhabitants are pessimistic, it is not the fault of the place; it is their own fault. They should for a moment dissociate themselves from their environment and cast-iron prejudices, and view the position of their own land and town in comparison with that of other less favored places. It is admitted that from the misfortunes of other countries, caused by the war, Xew Zealand as a whole it> benefiting, because of its being a supplier of foodstuffs and necessary commodities like wool and hides, for which there is an unsatisfied demand, and for which prices are in consequence at a higher level than heretofore, and, what is more, are likely to be an increasing rather than a receding quantity. It must be admitted —because it is a fact that permits of no disputation—that of the whole of the Dominion, no part is so favorably situated as Taranaki, for whilst there is a scarcity of feed elsewhere, wo have rarely been so fortunate in the matter of moisture and feed as we arc at present. One has only to travel to the Auckland or East Coast district to notice how well we are oil in this respect, and how much we should ba thankful for. We say without hesitation that 110 other part of Xew Zealand is so richly endowed by Nature as Taranaki; 110 part that is producing more wealth to the acre; 110 part where the prosperity is so diffused. We exported over two million pounds' sterling worth of dairy produce, etc., last year. It is not too much to expect that in price alone there will bo an increase of at least 10 per cent, on this figure this sia-on—at a time, mind, when more than half the world is at death's grips, and our own nation is fighting for its very life. Xo people in the whole world could be better off than we are at the present moment; we doubt if any are as well off. We should be the most grateful people, we of Taranaki, in the whole wide world. As for Xew Plymouth, it has never been in a healthier state from a business point: of view, and its prospects were never better. With so much rural prosperity around it, the town could hardly be otherwise. If some of the pessimist; of which our correspondents complain would only come out of their shells anil do something, however small, to licflji the town, Xew Plymouth would go ahead by leaps and bounds. It has many advantages; it presents many opportunities for the enterprising man. i\s a holiday place its claims are being rapidly l'ucogniscd, as shown by the ever-in-creasing numocr of visitors. Why, at this holiday-time at least a hundred and fifty people wanting to come here for I the holidays were prevented from doing so by their inability to find accommodaI lion. Docs this not show that there is a crying necessity for more hoarding accommodation? Here's a chance for the croakers with their big, fat .purses to I kelp the town—and incidentally themselves. They may say, "JSut this is only 1 a Hash in the pan. What's the good of putting money into a thing that will only pay during the holidays?" If a go«d boarding seaside resort were erected, it would bo largely patronised throughout the year, for there are hundreds of people living inland who would very gladly avail theinseves of the chance to spend a month near the seaside, and many more invalids who would stay here in order to take a course of the hot salt-water Baths, the curative nialitics of which, for certain troubles, I are very great indeed. Few thought anything of the beach five or six years ago. Indeed, it was not known, even to local residents. Now, thanks to the publicspirited work of the different beach committees, backed up by the publicity campaigns of the local Tourist League, the V-ach is acknowledged to be one of thi» greatest assets the town possesses. Another asset is the local High Schools, or colleges as we hope to be able to call them soon. These schools must, if the same progressive policy is pursued, make Xew Plymouth quite as important a scholastic centre as Wahganui, Nelson, or Timnru. The harbor is another in-r-timahle asset. It k ready now to receive tlii- largest vr—i'l- that trade to (lie Dominion, and the iiv.de of Taranaki is such now that it will be impossible for the -hipping companies to ignore any longer the port's ehims. Providing the ships are available, we expect to see ocean-going vesselg lying at Moturoa before (he close 01 the present year. Xew Plymouth will also he large]\- helped h-. {lie phenomenal increase in motor triKt'on. liriiuiny as it does ihe country and

too, are going to play a great part in the development of the town. Already the adjoining districts are being served by motor 'buses, which make New Plymouth their centre, and before long no doubt many more will be on the roads—a convenience to the country, as well as an advantage to the town. Then we must not forget the trams, which should be running this year. We did not fevor their installation when the scheme was decided upon, believing then, as we do now, that it was a wiser policy to put the streets in order first, and put on motor 'buses, bub there is no getting away from the fact that the trams will considerably assist the town, and galvanise life into that section of the community that prefers to heave a brick at the place, rather than get into tilings themselves and do something to advance the town's interests. We have many other assets, and we are satisfied that if a little more loyalty, enterprise, and faith were shown by some 'of our leading citizens, New Plymouth would lag bheind no towns outside the big centres in New Zealand. As it is, there is no reason tor be downhearted about the town; there is every reason why some of its citizens should take a hand in pushing it ahead. i