Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 1939. COMMENCING TOWN PLANNING.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 March 1939, Page 6

Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 1939. COMMENCING TOWN PLANNING.

AT the opening session of the Municipal Conference of New New Zealand, in Dunedin yesterday, the president, Air T. Jordan, was able to congratulate the Minister ol Internal Affairs’(Mr Parry) and the Government upon, the commencement made upon town-planning. In a preceding address, Lie Minister had observed that it had'not been possible last session to amend the Town-Planning Act, but that far-reaching proposals were at present before the Government based upon the English Town and Country Planning Act, 1932. Mr Parry also stated that: —

The year had been one of substantial —he might say unpre-cedented-progress in- the preparation of town-planning schemes. In addition to the schemes already finally or provisionally approved by the Town-Planning Board, over thirty schemes embracing all the principal municipal areas were in course of preparation, and ten extra-urban planning schemes had been commenced. .

Against the background of a long-coniinued neglect of town and regional planning by a succession of Governments and by the local bodies of then' time, the measure of active enterprise outlined bv the Minister stands out very creditably, and MrJordan’s congratulations upon a commencement on town planning appear to be warranted.

The great remaining 'weakness of the existing posit ion is in the failure to provide in good .time, under comprehensive schemes of regional planning, lor the coordinated and economical development of all occupied areas. In some of our more congested urban areas the mistakes of the past are so forcing themselves upon attention that it is becoming imperative to devise remedial measures. By planning in urban and otherareas still at an early stage of development, it should be possible to avoid mistakes like those that are elsewhere apparent and perhaps also to contribute in a useful measure to the solution of problems of congestion where they exist.

No doubt the Minister of Internal Affairs was .justified in suggesting that a considerable measure of responsibility must rest"' on local bodies where planning is concerned, but it is certainly right that this responsibility should be emphasised sharply" by the Central Government and by all who are in a position lo influence the policy of local bodies. Many local bodies are inclined to let Ihe future take care of itself and to concern themselves only with immediately obvious requirements and demands. Particularly in what is probably the. openingphase of an era of active development and expansion, it is very necessary that every effort should be made to replace that inclination by a spirit of' more active and enlightened enterprise.

Riuhily regarded, Ihe problems involved need raise no sectional political issues. 11 is a matter simply of working out with careful forethought the lines of development on which ihe best and most advantageous use will be made of land and other community assets. It might almost be said, with refeience both to planning and to the related question of local body amalgamation, that what is needed is the substitution of an exercise of intelligence for more or less helpless drilling. Comprehensive planning is needed in this country, not as a means of imparting an artificial stimulus to development, but in order that all possible safeguards may be established against future waste and a repetition of those mistakes of the past to which the Minister of Internal Affairs made passing reference in his address to the Municipal Conference yesterday.

GOODS FOR THE HOME.

A CONCERTED campaign now being opened by Masterion retailers interested in supplying goods and equipment of all kinds needed in the home should serve in a number ol ways an excellent purpose. Amongst other things, the campaign, which is said to be the first of its kind ever organised m New Zealand, represents an attempt to retain in the district trade that otherwise might go further afield. Much, howevei, as it is in the interests of all sections of our community, whether Ihev are directlv concerned in retail (business or not, that the trade of the district should develop and expand as prosperously as possible, there is no question of appealing only on that ground for the support and patronage of the buying public.

An essential object of the present campaign is to demonstrate to the people . of the town ami district that they can get the best possible value for their money by buying, so Io speak at their own doors. During the next few weeks, methodical efforts will be made by means of special shop and window displays and in other ways to show just what is offering in the way of home furnishings and equipment ol all kinds. 1 hem is no question of trying to catch trade by price-cutting. Lie essential object aimed at by the retailers is to get into the closest possible touch and understanding with the purchasers of goods, in the belief that the contacts thus established will be of lasting advantage to both, parties.

business people who rely upon a steady and sustained flow of trade have everything to gain, not only from raising their own selling organisation to the highest possible standard ol efficiency, but from inducing customers to base their purchases upon a'thoiightful and practical consideration of their most essential needs. It is very much in the interests ol supplying traders, as well as of householders in that capacity, that homes should be equipped wisely and with good judgment, first things being placed first. Action and progress on these lines niake lor good" trade as well as for happiness and welfare in the home. Through the agenev of capable managers and assistants, wellorganised business'firms naturally are in a position to offer useful miidance in the general and particular selection of goods and thereby to strengthen permanently the good relations m which suppliers and users, under the best conditions, are united.

The campaign now in progress has its own special importance and it is hoped that it will be followed up by other co-operative efforts on similar lines to bring the suppliers and users of various classes of goods into effective touch to their mutual advantage and benefit.