PALMERSTON NORTH IS ONE OF GROUP OF NINE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6945, 26 June 1929, Page 8

PALMERSTON NORTH IS ONE OF GROUP OF NINE

Should Name be Changed ?

MASTERTON SUGGESTS ALTERNATIVE TITLES BUSINESS MEN DIVIDED.

The confusion existing because of the similarity of the names of Palmerston North and Palmerston (South Island) was the subject of a letter addressed to the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce yesterday from tho Masterton chamber. The ietter which invoked ccnsiderablo discussion on this weatherworn subject stated that the Masterton postmaster had advised that much cor rcspondenco was only addressed “Palmerston,” which in many cases caused delay in getting mail matter to the right Palmerston. The meeting was of opinion that as the matter was a national one, Palmerston North should be approached with a view to having the town’s name changed. A member of the Masterton chamber suggested possibly one of the following names would be suitable namely “Mana” (influence) or “Manawa” (tho heart). Mr. M. A. Eliott mentioned the desire on the part of the railway and post office officials, as well as business people, to see the name changed. Information in support had been secured and a suitable opportunity to present a petition to the Borough council was being awaited. Such an occasion might be when the borough was declared a city. He moved that the Masterton chamber be informed that steps were being taken in the direction desired.

Mr. James Wallace did not agree with the proposal and moved as an amendment that Masterton bo informed that there would be no confusion if people only took the trouble to use the town's correct name.

The chairman: I'm afraid you will bo in the minority. ® Mr. Wallace spoke to his amendment, stating that ho had been in Palmerston North 25 years and after consideration, had come to the conclusion that the c.onfusiop was added to by the iight way in which peoplo spoke the name of the town. They were to blame in not adding tho word “North.” People should know that there were some who were against the change. The town had built up a good name and should hang on to it —a good name was like riches. For 50 years they had been advertising Palmerston North and were they going to let that go? The letters P.N. wore branded on all cases of goods coming overseas and that brand ensured its correct delivery. If the name was changed to Manawatu, the brand would be M, which would be confused with Masterton and other towns, and firms would find valuable goods going astray, instead of a few circulars, as now.' Then there was the cost that the change would entail for each business firm in getting alterations made to letter-heads and so forth. Mr. M. Cohen was also strongly against tho change and had written tho speaker on the subject. Mr. Colicn was at a loss to imagine what reasons could bo advanced the change and foresaw confusion In the alteration that would * take a generation to straighten out. Mr. Wallace thought that before any definite action was taken, there should be a plebiscite on the question. Mr Collinson thought that Mr. Wallace’s objections were simply sentimental. He could bring up a great deal of evidence in favour of a change. Palmerston North was not known all over tho world and there would be very little dislocation of foreign trade, as suggested. Mr. A. P. Stuart agreed with Mr. Wallaeo that a change in name would bo undermining the town’s goodwill. Mt. T. E. French also supported Mr. Wallace, claiming that there was no need to change the name if people would only address their correspondence correctly. Mr. Eliott: It is to get over that difficulty that we suggest tho change in name. You can’t educato people and mistakes will always be made. Mr. EJiott instanced the changing of the name of the capital of Sweden to Oslo and yet there was no cry about dislocated or lost trade. There were nine Palmcrstons in the world. Further, there were 33 business firms in Palmerston North which used the namo Manawatu as being more appropriate. Even Mr. Stuart’s firm used “Manawatu ’ ’—flour mills.

Mr. Stuart: And we get dozens of letters for the Manawatu Hosiery company which we have to forward on. Mr. L. H. Collinson stated ttiat as a trial the address of his fiim had been stated as “Manawatu” on mail order circulars and all replies had arrived safely. Mr. J. H. Stevens asked if Palmerston (South Island) had been asked to change its name. The chairman said that the Palmerston people had been approached but were not agreeable. Mr. Wallace’s amendment was lost.