VALUE OF CO-OPERATION

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 124, 21 November 1925, Page 6

VALUE OF CO-OPERATION

The tour made by representatives of the various local bodies of Wellington and the contiguous areas, with guests from the Main Highways Board, quite naturally inspired the thoughts of the benefits of co-operation in public works to which Mr. W. T. Strand, Mayor pf Lower Hutt, gave expression. No more direct evidence of the principle he expounded could have been selected than the very roads which the party had set o\\% to inspect. In extent and character the regent) reading work of the district could wot have been carried out with so much ease and prompts tudo and go little financial euibiir--I'tiHS.metit except under a unified plan which, enabled the sjnaller as well as the larger organisations to obtain the sei'viees of efficient' but costly plant, and, rnpre important still, of an experienced, skilful, and in this case, happily, an enthusiastic staff of wliich pride of craft has been a very notable characteristic. It may be that the success of the big combined roading scheme has been to some extent due to a happy combination of circum- j stances in which the highly satisfactory nature of the road-struc-ture chosen, and the 'cheerful Bhouldering of special charges by the road-using section of the community, have been important factors. Nevertheless, the principle of a form of co-operation wider than is customary among local bodies and their constituents has been fully demonstrated, and the fact should not be overlooked by the people of Wellington and of the Dominion. Mr. Strand's remarks- were endorsed l>s' Mr. Norwood, Mayor of the City, and as one of the leading spirits in the foundation of the Hutt roading system Mr. Strand fully deserved all that could be said in praise of its results. With such a demonstration the conditions are eminently favourable for ■recognition of the fact that a principle is of wider application than a process, and that the. close association established in connection with roading may bo 0 develop; ed for the benefit of the larger community in connection with a. lurgo variety of voi'ks anil public welfare.