DUNEDIN TO-DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26274, 4 October 1946, Page 9

DUNEDIN TO-DAY

Sir,—The existing spirit of lassitude and indifference that permeates the executive minds of this town is having a serious effect upon the city’s progress. A morbid preoccupation with the past completely overcomes any attempt to loik to the future. He who is unwise enough to express doubts about the future progress and economic welfare of the city is. without fail, referred to the “ pioneers.” These admirable old gentlemen undoubtedly did do a great job of work in founding the city and province, but when they passed on they surely expected their successors to exhibit some of that courage and initiative which they themselves possessed in no small measure. Whv should our centennial project be another wing to the museum? This appears to be pandering to that sanctification of the old and musty which is our greatest folly. Will the addition of space to the museum encourage new industries to come to Dunedin? Will our shrinking population reverse its trend and begin to grow, simply because we have a fine museum? It is realised that the place of culture in our civic life cannot be sacrificed to the purely material but theie is surely a happv medium. What profit will there be for Dunedin in this project? Is this scheme doing the greatest good for the greatest number, or is it merely to satisfy the few people who are interested? One would expect the younger men to have younger ideas. What does one find? The Junior Chamber of Commerce espoused a project to increase the size of the Early Settlers' Museum—again evidence of a morbid and even unhealthy preoccupation with the past. Do we find other cities wastng their funds on projects such as this? The past is useful only as a measure by which the mistakes of the future are to be avoided. Our pioneers were able and far-seeing, but they too made mistakes. Let us say once and for all that they did a good job of work, then leave them in the peace they earned. A different spirit should permeate the city—one of progress and hope for the future, not morbid concentration on the glories of the past. The trend is all to the north, nor can it be wondered at, for there are young men with young ideas in the north, and. what is more, they are not only tolerated but encouraged. Would that a similar state of affairs existed here. Ideas from the young are viewed with deep suspicion in Dunedin. There is a feeling that unless a man is over the half century he is immature and liable to " wild cat schemes.” This suspicion, coupled with the misfortune that business management here is largely a question of inheritance and not ability, has cwne much to cripple normal progress in the city Look at the question of trams and buses, and now trolley buses. How long has this miserable wrangle been gome on? In any other place in New Zealand it would have been settled years ago. But not in Dunedin—elderly gentlemen with elderly ideas have been " grappling with the problem and weighing, the “ pros and "cons" for years—without appreciable progress. Were I a betting man, I would wager that in 10 years’ time there will not be a single trolley bus in Dunedin, and the same patched-up monstrosities we now endure will still be cavorting about the streets—and all In the name of economy. Every municipal election we are promised " Olympic ” swimming baths. I wonder if the Rip Van Winkles who make the promises even know what the Olympic specifications are. I fear their promises are simply catch-cries designed to curry votes. We should have respectable, hygienic baths—Olympic size or not. Certainly almost anything would be preferable to the pea green waters in which our swimmers disport themselves at present. When will some one make a constructive move? One could continue indefinitely—our dingy shop fronts, out-of-date window dressing, appalling street surfaces, second-rate harbour, and above all, the all-pervading atmosphere of “ churchiness” that has penetrated even into our business relations. Dunedin used to be the first city in New- Zealand. We are now a very poor fourth—and all in the interests of “ economy.” We have plenty of money, let us spend some of it. A little of the cleansing vigour of youth would do much to shake us out of our apathy Whv not give youth a chance?—l am. ate. The Don.