Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1939. A COMMUNITY TRUST.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 May 1939, Page 6

Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1939. A COMMUNITY TRUST.

PEOPLE who have their own ideas about the way in which the affairs of Hie Trust Lands Trust should be conducted whether they approve of the present handling of these affairs or think that changes are necessary and desirable should note that the annual meeting of the Trust, takes place on Monday evening next and that a poll for the election, on this occasion, of four members, takes place on May 25. Ample opportunities are thus offered for the public discussion of Trust policy and affairs and for taking an active part in the constitution of the governing body. It is worse than futile to neglect opportunities of this kind and then to indulge, as some people do at times, in muttered criticism of the administration of the very valuable community endowment the Trust has in charge.

In its annual report, published in our news columns last week, the Trust urged that greater public interest should be taken in Trust matters and appealed for a large attendance at the annual meeting. Similar appeals have been made often in the past and have fallen for the most part on deaf ears. The annual meeting of the Trust usually is attended only by a handful of enthusiasts, some of whom are beginning to feel the burden of years, and 'with these honourable exceptions the general public of the Small Farms Area stays away. This is a, humiliating state of affairs and it ought to be recognised by every public-spirited man and woman in the community that it demands amendment. The value of the Trust to the district depends not only on the amount of its available revenues, but to a very considerable extent upon the measure of intelligent interest taken in the administration of the endowment and the purposes to which these revenues are applied.

This is essentially a time at which it is desirable that there should be an awakening of keener public interest in the management of the Trust. The balance sheet is still affected heavily by the extraordinary expenditure incurred in making good damage done by the earthquake of 1934, but the annual amount available for grants is rising and, in the absence of any new complication, will continue to rise. All good citizens in the Small Farms Area, and particularly parents, should be eagerly intent on having these expanding revenues turned to the very best account in furtherance of the educational and other objects of public benefit to which the Trust is empowered to contribute. At the annual meeting of the Trust and in the forthcoming election of Trustees, that interest may be expressed in a practical manner.

In addition to three vacancies for which the retiring members are seeking re-election, a fourth vacancy has to be filled this month on account of the. retirement. of Mr W. H r Jackson, who has the notable record of having been associated with the Trust, since 1907. The loss of this veteran is much to be regretted. Over a very long period—considerably longer than that of his association with the Trust—Mr Jackson has battled with unwearying enthusiasm for the welfare of children and young people and the advancement of their education. lie set his mark on the administration of the Trust in securing the establishment of scholarship grants which have given valuable assistance to many deserving students and in various other ways. His example of untiring effort and unflagging enthusiasm is well worthy of being emulated.

Too many people take the Trust Lands Trust and the benefits it confers for granted and many do not take the trouble even to vote in the annual election of Trustees. Had an equal measure of indifference reigned in the pioneer community of sixty-eight years ago, the Trust would never have been brought

into existence. In the indifferent neglect of the Trust and its affairs that is too common today, the intentions of the founders are in part defeated. A more active spirit of community enterprise is essential if the endowment and its revenues are to be administered to the best advantage.

It should be recognised that not only as a fountain of benevolence, but in its administration of business and other properties the Trust is in a position to exercise a very important and helpful influence upon the development of the town. On that account and others, all good citizens should be prepared to take, if not an actual part, at least an active and intelligent interest in the policy and management of the Trust; The hands of those who are elected as Trustees are strengthened in the extent to which they are able to feel that they have a substantial backing of public support and understanding. Full use should be made of the opportunities offered, at the annual meeting and at the annual elections of Trustees, for the discussion and settlement of any contentious issues that may be raised and for putting forward criticisms or proposals.

SLAUGHTER ON THE ROADS.

M ANY people will share in and .sympaflii.se with the keenregret expressed by the Minister of Transport (Mr Semple) at the disastrous falling away last month from the standards of road safety attained in preceding months. Partly owing to the Safety Week campaign, the number of fatal accidents last year was reduced, in spite of an increase of over 26 per cent in the number of vehicles on the roads. During the month just ended, however, there were thirty-three road fatalities, as compared with twenty in December last, when holiday traffic was at its height. In late autumn and winter, extended hours of darkness or of poor visibility make it increasingly necessary that care should be exercised by all road users, but the Minister went to the root of the matter when he said: — Whenever we make a special effort, we seem to be able to secure a valuable saving of lives on the road, but as soon as we relax slightly, the accident rate booms. The fact is here brought out that on the whole sufficient standards of .care are not being exercised by road users. At. times, in response to emphasised appeals like those made during Safety Week, people are induced to improve upon previously ruling standards, but as the appeals subside the standards of care and of resultant, road safety also subside. No one can be satisfied that there should be an increasing slaughter on the roads. All road users, whether motorists, cyclists or pedestrians, presumably are anxious that the toll of road deaths should be reduced to a minimum, and the example of Safety Week demonstrates that the reduction is perfectly practicable if all concerned will combine their efforts to that end. It is a matter largely of constant vigilance,consideration for others, and leaving nothing to chance. Much must always . depend upon Ihe readiness and ability of the individual to comply with safety standards, but any practicable methods of influencing the individual constantly in that direction are well worth going into. Windshield badges for drivers with accident-free records, and insurance'rebates, have been suggested in the case of motorists. It has in any event been demonstrated and emphasised tragically that intensive safely campaigns over a brief period, however gratifying their immediate results may be, have their definite limitations. A policy of continuing action is needed.