THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1913. WAKE UP!

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 19 December 1913, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1913. WAKE UP!

'' What's -wrong with Masterton ?" was a question that wa-s being vigorously discussed a year or two back. When -it was suggested - that w« required a little animation, and a few live men to push things along, people threw up their hands in alarm. They were afraid thatsonietliong was going to happen. They thought that possibly there would be an extra rate to pay 3 or that they would lose something. When the candidates for the Borough Council were before the ratepayers they were going to move heaven and earth to secure closer settlement, establish local industries, and make things "hum." Where are those Councillors now ? Where is the closer settlement? Where the industries ? ' When the Chamber of Commerce awoke from a protracted slumber it 'was going to put life into the dry bones of the community. Where is the Chamber of Commerce,

now? What is it doing to produco business activity? Where is the life? We have a magnificent district behind our township." We have a delightful climate (with an occasional variation). Wo havo beautiful surroundings. We havo streams abounding in fish; country full of game; the beauties and wonders of Nature smiling upon us on every hand. But what aro we doing for ourselves? What have we done during the past twelve months, aye, during the last several years, to assist Nature and to assist ourselvos? Have "we done anything more than talk and bemoan ouri own lethargy and that of our neighbours? Have we taken'any definite step to promote the development of the district, or of the town in which we live? Have we produced a solitary lia'porth of genuine prosperity ? Why should we not have a woollen-mill in our midst? Why should we not have a motor service bringing people to our town and distributing them when they are here? Why should we allow Eketahuna and Pahiatua to get ahead of us in the tapping of the back country? Why should we not stand shoulder to shoulder and represent our claims to the Government for closer' settlement, for rural workers' homes, for better railway facilities, for an Agricultural High School, and for pro-, gmssive institutions generally ? Why should we not do these things ? It is as certain as that night follows day that we must do one of two things—we must either go forward or backward. Which is it to be? Do the present indications point to a forward movement? 'Who is there among us that is manifesting the slightest interest in our general avolfar'e ? Have we a live Borough Council—active, alert, ready to co-operate in any movement that makes for progress, itself initiating measures and calling upon the public for its co-operation? . Have we a Chamber of Commeroe that is filled with enthusiasm and determination,, to do things? We let the history of the, last few year 6 supply thfeir own answer. We are afraid that what is lacking in Maistertbn at the present moment is a -body of energetic leaders, a body of men who will show interest in the borough and its environs, a body who will work with a will to achieve an object. Can we hope that such, - .body will he •forthcoming ? Who will lead the way ? Are we going backward or forward? We IooTT to the Chamber of Commerce, to the member for the district, to the Mayor, to our leading citizens to supply the answer.