TARANAKI'S URGENT NEEDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 August 1920, Page 4

TARANAKI'S URGENT NEEDS.

It may fairly be claimed that on no previous occasion have Ministers been waited upon by such a thoroughly representative deputation as that which placed before the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Works on Thursday the urgent needs of Taranaki. Mr, Massey recognises that Taranaki is probably the most productive and progressive province in the Dominion, and it is evident he was impressed by the ..spirit of unity which was displayed in voicing these needs, each and every one of which is not only of vital import to the particular locality directly affected, hut is of equal importance to tho province as a whole and to the Dominion. The port is the dominant factor in Taranaki's progress, and it is largely in connection with shipping matters that all the needs have their main bearing. Mr. Newton King struck . the right note in claiming that the time had arrived when Taranaki should get an equitable share of the money spent by the Government on public works, so that the development of the district, more especially the back country, should be facilitated. That is why railway connections, roads, bridges and raid metal are of the utmost importance, while the opening'up of the coalfield's is equally urgent in view of the great part coal play 3 in carrying on the dairy industry. The members of the deputation are to be congratulated on the effective and diplomatic manner in which they presented the various needs for the consideration of the Ministers, and especially in giving prominence to the

spirit of selfrreliance which has been shown by Taranaki people in the past. There is no district in the Dominion where the establishment of through communications is so vital to progress as in Taranaki. Even had the Prime Minister exhibited a welcome sympathy with the deputation's requests, he could not fail to have been convinced with the irresistible logic of the arguments used. The case was perfectly complete. It iB encouraging to find that Mr. Massey is alive to the importance of all the requests made, and that the Government will do ifp best to carry on all necesr sary works. Money and men are the prime factors governing the Government's policy. At the same time Taranaki has special cjaims to favorable consideration by reason of its being "the most productive and progressive district in New Zealand," besides which the unity which exists in the desire to obtain ' facilities for greater production should weigh in the scale. It may confidently be expected that all the Taranaki members of Parliament will en> deavor to influence the Government to 3o justice to the province, and it ia to be hoped that the sympathy expressed. by the Premier will be followed by action which will result in satisfactory progross being made towards completing as speedily as possible the works so ably advocated by the deputation, and admitted by Ministers to be urgent.