EVIDENCE OF APPROVAL.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 May 1939, Page 4

EVIDENCE OF APPROVAL.

doubt, as the chairman of the 'Trust Lands Trust, Mr 11. P.

lingo, observed at Ihe annual meeting of voters last evening, the general failure of the people of the Small Farms Area to attend that meeting means that they are quite satisfied with the administration of the Trust. It is J.o be supposed that if the people of the constituent and benefiting area were not perfectly satisfied, they would, as Mr Hugo put it, “come along and take a shot at us.” At the same time the meagre attendances at the annual meeting cannot be regarded as satisfactory. It is at best a. negative state of affairs. "What is wanted is positive interest by the body of voters in the Trust and its work. Lack of thought must be held largely accountable for the apathy and indifference that, are manifested. It is simply astonishing, however, that all but an inconsiderable minority of those concerned should so completely neglect and ignore the activities of a public body which holds a net balance of revenue-earning capital assets valued, on a. most conservative basis, at over £90,000. Every penny of the current and prospective net revenue derived from these assets is available for community purposes. ’With inconsiderable exceptions, however, the members of the benefiting community look upon Hie Trust and its affairs with lacklustre indifference. At last night’s meeting there was an attendance of a little over twenty. This is something like'twice as many as have attended on occasion, but an ordinarily intelligent and alert appreciation of what the Trust means and will mean to the Small Farms Area, which is chiefly Mastertoll, would ensure an attendance at least running into hundreds. An unqualified tribute must be paid to the zeal and public spirit of those who undertake the somewhat thankless task of Trust administration, not least to the present and past occupants of the onerous position of chairman. The Trust is being well and faithfully administered, but keener and more general public interest would ensure its being administered to even better purpose and effect. Li the handling of the affairs of the Trust there is splendid scope for enterprise by which the community would benefit immensely, but there must be some tendency to routine and jog-trot • procedure while this valuable community foundation and asset is neglected as generally and as indifferently as it is at present.