The Northern Advocate Daily SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1936. NORTHLAND’S NEEDS

Northern Advocate, 31 October 1936, Page 6

The Northern Advocate Daily

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1936. NORTHLAND’S NEEDS

Registered tor transmission through the post as a Newspaper.

I It is to be hoped that the unanimous decision of the North Auckland Associated Chambers of Commerce, held at Kaikohe on Thursday, to urge the granting of full provincial status to Northland will be followed up with determination and persistency. We have long., held the opinion that the large and fertile territory north of Auckland city, commencing from a line drawn through, say, Wellsford, arid extending to the North Gape, should possess its own identity, bearing a name which would give it distinct individuality, and being invested with all the administrative advantages enjoyed by the provincial areas of the Dominion. It is gratifying to know that the ‘claims of Northland to these things are being recognised today, but it behoves public bodies and influential citizens to use every effort to hasten ’.the conferment of privileges that have been withheld too long. It was a happy thought which led Mr E. L. Whimp, some months ago, to urge that the obtaining of provincial status should be made one of the goals of Northland’s Centennial' celebrations, and it is pleasing to note the support which is being given to the idea. Though provincial status nlay have ceased to possess its oldtime significance, consequent upon the abolition of Provincial Government, there is every reason why the rank of province should be conferred on Northland,* which" geographically and otherwise, has a right to be regarded as a separate entity. As was pointed out at the meeting of the associated chambers of commerce, Northland has claims in this respect which are superior to those of a number of provinces in regard to area, population, production, tourist attractions and possibilities for further development. Northland has made remarkable strides during recent years, thanks to the transport and other facilities that have been obtained, but the territory is still only at the gateway of its inheritance. The time is long overdue when the territory should

cease to be regarded as an appen- j dage of Auckland city, as so many j people in New Zealand and over-! seas think of it. Northland has; suffered severely, and had its pro-1 gress slowed down, by lack of j publicity, which can never be obtained in full measure until the, area is officially recognised as a; separate entity—possessing its; own distinctive name and thci whole gamut of public offices to ; be found in the provincial dis-, tricts today. In this connection j it is indeed gratifying that the! Government has decided that j Northland shall be a Supreme | Court district. This is a' good j start, and we feel that it will not j be long before the territory will j have its chief post office, lands and deeds offices, an education board and all the other departments of State required for the prompt and efficient administration of one of the most important portions of the Dominion. It is Obvious,/ however, that if these things, are to be obtained, the people of Northland- must work together harmoniously and energetically. For that reason we hope that the unanimous resolution of the associated chambers of commerce will be heartily supported throughout the territory.