THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 1950. A PIONEERING AGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27346, 23 March 1950, Page 6

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 1950. A PIONEERING AGE

With the province of Otago fairly launched on its second century, it may seem that the age of pioneering has long passed, yet to refer to the present as such a time is justifiable. There is an inspiration in the phrase “pioneers of the second century" which was used in the anniversary services in First Church last Sunday. Pondered upon, it will lift the mind of the ordinary citizen from his own affairs to an appreciation of his importance, actual and potential, in the development of the city and the lands which lie behind the surrounding hills. The contemplation of such a vision is good for a man, especially in these days of mechanistic civilisation. It should also be productive of good for the province. To such an inspiration and contemplation Anniversary Day may well be dedicated. Retrospect has been all too commonly the mood of the celebrations in past years and to a degree this was' unavoidable because it was made so much a day for the honouring of the early settlers and of the survivors of the pilgrim ships. Inevitably the composition of the anniversary gatherings has changed, and the spirit too must be changed. As was urged during the centennial year, the true aim of the celebrations was to “praise famous men" and to reaffirm their faith and sucH, it may be urged, should be the purpose of Anniversary Day. The task of 1950 in this province is not the same as that of 1850, yet there was much in the mood of the inhabitants then which might usefully persist today. The agricultural and pastoral tradition which was early established is maintained, but it has to be revised to give recognition to the needs of the land and to rectify as far as possible the results of the errors made in ignorance and, sometimes, almost criminal neglect. But it is industrial rather than pastoral development on which the greatest endeavours must be concentrated. In earlier days Otago led the colony in' industry, and the solidity with which its enterprises were established has been demonstrated in the years since. The initial impetus has been' lost, and there has been little significance in new developments in recent years, but now, with the second century of Otago, there comes a new oppor-tunity-one based not on the brief prosperity of gold mining, but on the potentialities of hydro-electric power. It is in this field that the new pioneering has to be done. These points, which haye not lacked advocates, have been admirably presented in the Epilogue to Dr McLintock’s “ History of Otago,” and some of his constructive advice may be recalled on this Anniversary Day: “A general awareness of the present position of the province in comparison with that of its rivals, a thorough understanding of the past with its mistakes and triumphs and, above all, a true appreciation of the valuable potentialities of Otago are the prerequisites l to future planning and future success. Conservatism is good, but it must be matched with youthful vigour and adventurous faith. The age of provincialism has long since gone, and few would now lament its passing. But many of its finest qualities such as a proud selfreliance, initiative and foresight, coupled with a passion for success and a capacity for, and belief in, the virtues of hard work, are as necessary today as they were half a century ago.”