BAY OF PLENTY BEACON Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1950 THERE IS A FIGHT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 93, 8 September 1950, Page 4

BAY OF PLENTY BEACON Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1950 THERE IS A FIGHT

It has been repeatedly said that there is no fight between Tauranga and Whakatane about a site for a Bay of Plenty port. Of course there is a fight, even if most of the punches are coming from the more northern town.

Though both towns are actuated by motives considered to be for the good of the Bay as a whole —and the Bay will benefit wherever the port is sited—the age-old element of parochialism obviously is entering into every argument. It is almost inconceivable that it should not. Closely-located towns will oppose each other as they progress as long as towns exist. Let great credit be given to Tauranga for the spirit with which it is preparing its fighting' material. Tauranga appears to be certain of the outcome of its claim but it is making every effort to ensure success. As the

result of a conference of local bodies, it has been assured of the support of nearly every local body in the Bay except Whakatane Borough and County Councils. The Whakatane Harbour Board, however, is preparing its case less dramatically, without conferences, without flamboyant publicity. Its case must stand or fall on its merits, with the support only of those bodies which are immediately interested.

And it is the case which Whakatane can present which will tell rather than the support or otherwise which that case may receive. A committee of inquiry' must take into account the views 'of those bodies whose districts are affected but its decision will not be influenced by those views to the extent that it will lose sight of the obvious question —• which site is the better from the point of view of cost in relation to general suitability. There is a fight—a fight which the better man will win.