WHAT MASTERTON NEEDS

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 45, 21 February 1917, Page 12

WHAT MASTERTON NEEDS

RAILWAY COMMUNICATION AND INCREASED POPULATION

THE RIMUTAKA DEVIATION

OPENING UP FOR CLOSER SETTLEMENT

"What is-most needed to ensure Mastertou's future development upon the proper lines?". Such was the question put to Mr. C. E. Daniell, a prominent business man in Masterton, and Chairman of the Wellington ; Harbour Board. Mr. Daniell is a. broad-minded enthusiast, who. has the interests of Masterton thoroughly at heart, and his views should carry some weight. "Well," said Mr. Daniell, by wav_-of introduction, "what have we got. First a beautiful situation in a wide, open valley, watered by many streams flowing from the mountains and near-by springs; .fay the west, in'full view of. the ■ town, a mountain range towering up to 5000 ft, the tops sometimes covered with, snow, but always forming a scene of singular beauty; to the cast and north, ranges of hill country feeding flocks and herds, the produce of which is marked prime in the markets.of the world. Ah.occasional sharp frost in the winter helps to keep "down the slug pesfc, evenif. it does causethe orchardist to be on the alert to protect- his fruit.' "Tho well-stocked trout streams, which in other places would be a. pride, are here- taken ..simply as part of tlie heritage.. The warm days and cool nights of summer area delight to healthy folk, and who could be other than healthy here. ■ ■■'• : ■••••■..

"Still, yon. ask, -what are the needs. Wait. We have a railway, safe, i£ slow, and'we are equidistant from either Wellington, Palmerston North, or Dannevirke. and by express we cam cover the 65 miles to either in four hours. Wo have also motor cars which enable us •to ignore our own. expensively-built rail: ways, a.nd save a. third of the tuns on the journey. We shave in the social and commercial benefit oE the" telephone. It is probable that the. car and the-tele-phone double the efficiency of. the individual farmer. We'have streams that, when scientifically harnessed may give the motor-power desirable to reduce heavy physical labour on farm and in store, light our homes whether in town or country, run the sheep-shearing machine, the sewing machine, and—why not?—drive our motor-cars. The value

extended experience, goes north to develop some unimproved area. But tha Stsult here is to decrease our population. If increased production is a. Dominion need, then M;isterlon's need as a contributor is more population; first-to develop our primary industry in land cultivation, then to work tip the products into marketable conditions. Everything-, except. population, favours- the establishment of woollen, tanning-, and other industries. ... RAILWAY MATTERS. "A large area to the east and northeast of Masterton can-only bo fully developed by better means of transit. A railway from Masterton to Waipukarau, in Hawkes Bay, a distance of 120-miles, and roughly parallel with, but about 20 miles distant from, the East Coast, would now be commercially profitable if associated with increased man power. But a real need as. far-as Masterton is concerned is improved railway communication with, the port. Our railway was unfortunately and expensively designed. Real obstacles oh' 'the route were aggravated, and undulating country chosen even in .the main valley in preference to better .grades available. That politicians are not a success in locating a railway, is a truism here demonstrated. We need improvement, but while party politicians | decide, and Wellington City remains so [ indifferent to its own interests, the need will continue to exist."

of our products'is a big Dominion asset, while the ..character of the young men who sprang to our defence in war, aiid 'the efforts of the military unfit 'to carry on,' together with tho stimulating enthusiasm of our women, I are facts to be ,proud of. BIG HOLDINGS. "But, again, what does Masterton need? A glance at the map shows the country generally divided up into small sections, apparently separate holdings, but compare this with the Government statistics of areas held, and you will at once .ask why are the, holdings so large. The answer will tell our needs, namely means of access to the lands, and, if moreproduce is wanted, then more population. Our farmers arp busy, hard-working, alert men, who make a success of their tasks. Many have been able to purchase at ,a good figure his neighbour's farm, and with tho experience gained,, is able to .manage the larger area at a minimum expense, while the neighbour, also with