The Daily News. TUESDAY, MAY 25, 1920. FOSTERING TARANAKI'S PROGRESS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 May 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, MAY 25, 1920. FOSTERING TARANAKI'S PROGRESS.

ifrnt as a. nation is what the people make it, so is a town or a province. Where there is unity of purpose and comlbined effort, there will success be found. This was convincingly demonstrated in the conduct of the Great Wav, and it is equally applicable to communities in times of peace, Taranaki, in the past, has made splendid progress in spite of a lack of cohesion of all the districts in the province, but the altered conditions call fqr whole-hearted co-operation in the interests of trade, commerce, and other important phases of life. The time has arrived when it is expedient for those interested in the welfare of Taranaki to join hands in securing those aids that make for progress and prosperity. The recent meeting of Taranaki members of Parliament to consider the most urgent requirements of the province was a. step in the right direction. If Parliament and the Government is to be influenced in considering the needs of any portion of the Dominion, the voice of the people must be heard through their representatives, and it stands to reason that when unanimity exists in the different electorates on what is necessary for the people as a whole, the claims put forward cannot be ignored. The conference was a pronounced success, and should beffr good fruit in the near future. Another matter of vital importance to Taranaki is now to be considered —the question of direct imports from the United Kingdom to Taranaki's seaport at Moturoa, As an initial step a meeting of importers has been convened by the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, to be heid at New Plymouth to-morrow, in order to discuss the possibilities of arranging, for a regular service of direct steamers to New Plymouth. This is certainly a project which should appeal to all importers in Taranaki, and one in which unity is particularly desirable, especially in view of the scandalous way in which goods for this district are held up at Wellington, and in a lesser degree at Auckland, It would be well to make this meeting thoroughly representative, so that the matter can be considered fully, and tfiough the various Chambers of Commerce in the province will be able to give their individual attention to the matter, time is precious if advantage is to be taken of the favorable opportunity which now occurs for securing a trial shipment of goods by a vessel leaving Londßn towards the end of July. It is quite possible there may exist a feeling that in the interests of the province a central executive of the combined Chambers of Commerce should be established in a convenient locality for the purpose of bringing about united action, and it is conceivable that sucli a body would be a great benefit not only to the importers, but to the producets and the consumers generally. Direct imports will mean much to all concerned, and it is to be hoped that no effort will be spared to secure such a boon, which cannot fail to have a favorable influence 011 the cost of living. Now that Taranaki has a seaport and harbor capable of accommodating large ocean vessels, the more use ttht can be made of the port the better it will be for Taranaki settlers. Fostering the progress of the province is a work in which all are interested, and one wherein absolute unanimity should be found.