AN ODIOUS COMPARISON.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 September 1920, Page 6

AN ODIOUS COMPARISON.

v (To the Editor.) f Sir,—A comparison of the relative progress of Hawera and Stratford during the past few years does not make pleasant reading from the point of view of i-tratford residents when it is remembered that it is not very fflng since the ;\vo towns were practically on an equality as regards population; and opportunities of progress. The visitor to Haw.-ra {lie present time cannot help noticing the wonderful strides which are being made by the southern town, ,is!(l mi every hand there are to be seen in course of erection new business premises, in addition to a large number of dwellings. On the othej- hand Stratford continues to progress Slowly, hut so slowly that there doe,s not appear to be any progress at all. In. Hawera, the business firms and financial organteat .'psh am taking time by the forelock and erecting new premises with great alacrity, while in Stratford everyone appears to be waiting for the ever-inereas-mg cost of building materials to return to normal. Tfie facts are that in Stratford the people—most of them, at any rate—are satisfied to talk of the great future which is in front of their town and to let things? slide for the present, but in Ilawera the optimists don't merely talk, but act. The result is that the disparity between tho two towns, both of which have almost equal opportunities, is growing wider—in favor of Hawera. Unless Stratford is prepared to forsake its present policy of waiting, luike Micawbcr, for an elusive "something" to tuyn up, and make the town what it can and should be, the people will find that business which should be kept in their own town will be slipping out to more progressive places, which have made proper provision for coping with increased business. Even with its rigorous climate, Stratford should grow to be an important town on ac- | count of its central position, if the peo- , pie will only wake up and go in for a ! comprehensive scheme of street improvements and encourage the erection of I new and up-to-date business premises.— j I am, etc., OPTIMIST.