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Taranaki Daily News, 24 March 1919, Page 4

COMMON SENSE TOWN PLANNING. Under the auspices of the "New nymouth Borough Council an address is to he given to-morrow evening at the Empire Theatre on "What town planning means for the Dominion." There is no question that this matter is one of the urgent questions of the day, especially in New Plymouth, where there is ample scope for the development of attractive residential areas. Although much harm has already been done by short sightedncss in the planning of the town, it is not too late to have a comprehensive development plan, making provision for future demands and expansion. It is considered by competent judges who have visited the town that there is no more favorably situated locality in the Dominion than New Plymouth, with its beauty spots, extensive sea front, fine harbor, excellent parks and undulating country, and it should be the aim of its residents and property owners to have the town made attractive much in the same way as each householder endeavors to make the home a place where harmony, culture and good taßte reign. Real town planning is not the squandering of the ratepayers' money on mere ornamentation, but the regulation of improvements which the town must make for healthy normal growth, so that every shilling spent will go where it will count as a sheer business proposition. Instead of a go-as-you-please policy in developing the town, method is required, assisted by art. There is every reason to believe that if New Plymouth were to be made as attractive as it very well could be, it would be regarded as the most desirable place in which to reside, and that it would attract residents and Visitors from all parts of the Dominion and from overseas. Few people seem to realise the potentialities of the town, but they exist to a, remrkftble degree.

fiegarded from an economic point of view, it would be good business to plan the town so as to enhance its advantages. It pays to advertise; it pays to dress shop windows attractively, and it, would pay handsomely to develop the town on the right lines. Every citizen should be more or less interested in this subject, for there should exist as great a pride in the town as in the homes. Without ideals a community is moribund, but with ideals and a. capacity as well as the will to make them fruitful, a town speedily attains success. Mr. Hurst Seager is the honorary organising director of the Townplanning Conference, and what he has to say on the subject will be well worth while hearing, so that as admission to the lecture is free, and it will be well Illustrated by lantern slides, there should be a good attendance at the Empire Theatre to-morrow night. Mr. Seager is coming here, not to air expensive fads or impossible theories, but to help forward the development- of New Zealand towns on attractive lines, and every one that possesses a fraction of public spirit should make a point of being present. It will be an hour or so well spent and prove to the lecturer that his efforts in a good cause are adequately appreciated.