TARANAKI’S PROGRESS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 June 1921, Page 4

TARANAKI’S PROGRESS.

WEALTH FROM DAIRY INDUSTRY. * OVERSEAS SHIPPING SERVICE. GREAT FUTURE OF PROVINCE. The progress of industry and tra&e in Taranaki during the past year formed the subject of some interesting observations made by Mr. E. P. Webster (president of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce) at the annual meeting of the Chamber last night. “It is gratifying to be able to report that the past year has been a very satisfactory one in Taranaki,” said Mr. Webster. “Production both in butter and cheese, our main products, has been well maintained although the freezing industry will show a shrinkage owing to the short killing season and other causes, but will no doubt prove better next year.”

Proceeding, Mr. Webster said: “Taranaki in a few years, with closer settlement and intensive farming, will be producing double its present wealth. Last year the value of exports was £5,095/ 7'64, equal to over £BO per head of population, the average for the Dominion being a little below £‘4o. By those figures it can be seen what a wonderfully fertile district ours- is. Yet we are only as a province in our infancy. With a deep sea harbor an accomplished fact, enabling the district's exports to be shipped direct to the world’s ,markets, and also the district’s requirements from overseas being landed at our door instead of having to bear extra cost of transhipments, etc., and with the provision of cheap electric power, Taranaki will become an even richer and greater province in the. -near future. “The harbor is now accommodating Home liners up to 9000 tons gross with a depth of over 24 feet. The immediate difficulty, however, is lack of wharfage, shipping having grown so rapidly during the past twelve months. This A d’fficulty, it is hoped, will shortly be < overcome by the board. It is pleasing to see that the board is determined to push on with the completion of the breakwater, and still more pleasing to hear that this work is estimated to be completed within two years. “The Chamber was very active in its work of instituting a regular steamer service from England to New Plymouth, and in obtaining the co-operation of the whole of Taranaki and even Wanganui. A regular service is now assured, and what it will mean for the whole of Taranaki to get direct importations is hard at this juncture to estimate. The departure certainly marks one of the most important stages in the development of this prosperous province. “The town of New Plymouth during the last twelve months has made solid progress, and on all sides is seen commercial activity. The recent census returns showed that the town’s population had increased by 30 per cent on last census figures, the proportion of growth being beaten by only one town in the Dominion. "The borough hydro-electrical undertakings are proving a great success, and when the present scheme for additional power is completed it is hoped to be able to supply the rest of the province with current. What hydro-electric power * means to a place is proved when recently a municipal body in the Dominion had to pay £17,000 additional for its coal contract for the year. "I could speak much longer on the possibilities of this town aud province, but Ido not wish to weary you. I will content mvself with saying that the Chamber has had a particularly active year and 1 think that I may fairly claim that it has not been without benefit to the commercial community. Aa is stated in the council’s report, a great deal of time was devoted to railway im. provement, both for the province and the mail train. Deputations went to Wellington and saw the general manager, also to the various towns in the province, composed the conflicting interests for the first time on record secured a united front, and presented it to the general manager and hie departmental heads, and submitted a case which was as convincing as it was strong, and 1 have no hesitation m predicting that what was done will prove of lasting benefit to the towns and province.”