DRIVING POWER.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 31 October 1924, Page 4

DRIVING POWER.

We suppose that one of the most difficult tasks is to maintain among a community that driving force that is so necessary to progress, and we find that there are times when it is very hard to awaken people to the fact that it is within their ■ power, and their power alone, to advance the interests of their particular town or district. In South Taranaki we have some bodies which are keen and are doing good work, but there are others which seem to have fallen into a state of lethargy and inertia, and little can be expected from them unless there is a real awakening and an infusion of a. driving force that will make them real lire institutions. The fact that a particular body bearing a particular name exists is of little importance, unless that body is definitely carrying out its work with zeal and enthusiasm and is getting things done; in fact, it would be better for a body to -lease to exist than to remain indefinitely in a moribund condition. We appeal therefore to each member of the numerous institutions existing in South Taranaki to do his or her part to make those institutions strong and vigorous and of real value to the district. It is true to say that all local institutions have at some stage done very good work, but there are those which have lost their strength and have become lifeless. Such dulness only adds fo the difficulties which have arisen from the financial depression, and we think that the time has come when a revival of interest in the affairs of the district is very necessary. The financial depression is passing away, and, though there are cases in which individuals are still in difficulty, the country a.s a whole is in a much better position than it was a year ago, and there are prospects that there will be a steady improvement in the future. We have not the slightest fear of the future of South Taranaki, for it is one of the most productive areas in the "Dominion and its climate is such that it is reasonable to expect that the majority of seasons will bring high production from the farms. The district has in past years made splendid progress, due in no small degree to the keenness of its local institutions to push it ahead. It can and should resume that march of progress now that it is coming through the period of depression, but the assistance of all its institutions is needed. Let the people,, therefore, see to it that the various associations are adequately supported, and that in each there is kept dominant the spirit of progress and that driving force which are essential if a. maximum of success is to be achieved. In other parts of the Dominion such bodies are, we notice, very active, and when they see--an opportunity for serving their communities they seize upon and speedily make such representations as they think fit. It is this keenness and spirit which we desire to see much more in evidence than has been the case for some time past, for we believe that if the people are loyal and faithful to their district and are willing to make the effort when required from time to time they can build it up until it reaches a state of progress second to no other part of the Dominion.