The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1915. THE OHURA VISITORS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 208, 10 February 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1915. THE OHURA VISITORS.

It is pleasing to learn that the members of the Ohura party now in Aew Plymouth are both enjoying and profiting by their trip. This interchange of visits must produce mutual benefit. The business community of the capital or the province cannot become too well acquainted with the hinterland and its necessities, nor can the settlers of the outlying portions learn too much of what the town has to offer, nor of its resources and advantages. Up till last year, when members of the Taranaki Chamber ot' Commerce visited the Olmra, little practical interest was siiown in the. province's hinteTland by our people. That visit opened the eyes of New Plymouth to the possibilities of that ''terra incognita," and the need for closer connection between the back dis. tricts and the principal sea port. The Olmra representatives, in turn, appear to have had their eves opened. For one thing, they have seen what has-been done in the way of developing the harbour, and its readiness to accommodate Home vessels. Alorc certainly lias to be done yet to satisfy the requirements—we were almost writing exactions —of the shipping companies, but for all practical purposes the port is ready to receive big boats, ihc visitors have seen uc different institutions and works of the town, they have been given an insight into the capacity of our land and the type of stock bred, and they have been introduced to some of the beauty spots of the town. The trip has been an education to the visitors, just as was the trip into their extensive district to the townsmen. At the banquet last even- j ing, more tlian one of the party j stressed the importance of improving the ! main road from Olmra to Kotare. The J Government, it was pointed out, had I voted £SOOO for the road, but more money is required to put it through— j another £IO,OOO at least. The road 1 constructed, the business of the Olmra ' will find its way to its: natural outlet, j the port of Xew Plymouth. To that I work, therefore, this end should beml its ' undivided efforts. The construction of the railway line in from "Stratford I should also be accelerated .At the pro- | sent rate of progress a decade at least will pass before the Ohura is connected j with Taranaki by rail. The Government recognises, or professes to recognise, the importance of these works, but after making allowance for the needs of other districts, we are not satisfied the Government is doing its duty by Taranaki in respect to these great national wows. The whole of Taranaki should rise as one man and insist, and keep on insisting, on the granting of adequate votes for the linking of the Ohura with the rest of Taranaki. If the pressure be sustained, we have no doubt of lue issue—the Government will be forced into doing its manifest duty.