TARANAKI’S HINTERLAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 April 1922, Page 6

TARANAKI’S HINTERLAND.

HOW THE SETTLERS ARIE PENALISED. A MOTORIST’S EXPERIENCES. Writes Mr. L. O. Hooker from Te Kuiti, under date April 3:— Sir, —As one anxious to see the development of New Zealand on right lines, I was* more than struck with the telegraphic report that appeared in the Auckland Herald this morning (Monday) of a meeting of citizens in New Plymouth re the reading problems in the Ohura and Mokau districts. Your Chamber of Commerce is to be congratulated upon the energy it is displaying in this matter, and deserves the whole-hearted support of every local body in Taranaki, if they realise at all what proper communication wiu. this portion of Taranaki means. The party from your

chamber was indeed fortunate in going over the roads under fairly good conditions, for at the present time the roads are beyond description. I have just motored from Stratford to Te Kuiti, after two weeks’ rain, and it is no exaggeration when I say I did not do one mile an hour in some portions, particularly after leaving Ohura for Piopio. It took me from $.30 in the morning to 4.30 in the afternoon to do twenty-three miles. It was a case of playing with one’s life the whole time. When you think that there are settlers (heroes) living all along these roads it is really wonderful how they stick to it. But the point, sir. is this, that the country is being developed upon wrong lines. Surely the first thing should be proper roads. Then there will be no difficulty in getting the people on the land. Our policy has been, and is, to persuade the people to go on to the land and promise them a road or railway, which in many cases ends there. The' Government is crying out for more' products. The country is crying out for development, but the present methods will never accomplish anything. Why waste money building railways in districts where there are the best roads in New Zealand? It would be a much sounder policy to spend the money and complete a road in a district like the one referred to. when by so doing people could settle and develop land that would increase the products of the country and find a place for the immigrants that are being brought into the country. One could write at length on this matter, but I feel that this will give a little encouragement to your chamber in the very excellent work they have undertaken.