The Pahiatua Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1923. AMERICAN CANAL.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 31384, 13 February 1923, Page 4

The Pahiatua Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1923. AMERICAN CANAL.

Many travellers from New Zealand to the Old Country make the trip via the Panama Canal. The opening of this waterway has given an impulse to trade between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. It was suggested t 0 start another canal, but the latest advices report that the project lias been abandoned. The Panama Canal is becoming overtaxed, and it is considered necessarv to make additions. The idea of a canal across the Panama Isthmus is as old ns the 16th century, but it was not till 1879 that Do Eesseps. the builder of the. Svu /. Canal, began his ill-starred attempt of Panama which, after ten years. failed through the exhaustion of funds. Then in 1904, as everyone knows, the United States Government took the i undertaking over, and finally completed it. Panama. however, was not regarded as the only possibility. The Nicaragua route undoubtedly the best alternative, was frequently mooted; indeed, in 1S9(). an American company actually commenced work there, but failed three years later. The U.S. (Government has an arrangement with the Government. of Nicaragua ihat, in the event of another canal being built.

it shall lx v by U.S. enterprise. The Nicaragua route is admirably adapted for canal purpo es, .aid though much longer than that at Panama, presents less engineering difficultios. Existing waterways, pn.rticiiln.rly the great Lake-, of Nicaragua, which occupies fully half the distance and is of good depth, have already pro\ died a line which only wants dredging, and one or two. locks will overcome any steepness of gradient. Willi tourists, probably the Nicaragua Canal would be the moie popular, offering as it does magnificent scenic views, besides traversing one of the richest and most populous portions of Central America.

dairying districts of the Dominion and provides splendid oppe rtuniiie for business men willing and re .d; t-> with producers Tt is ti.« duty of those who have been elect, < to control our municipal affair.- i

endeavour to encounge ]j*r gr« s- c» 1 work for the good and general we lfare of the community. It is reported that some of the councillors wn«* .have rendered excellent work for the the ratepayers during the past wvd. years do not intend to seek re-t lotion. The borough can ill-afford i * lose their services, but- it is to bo hoped that as equally good and public-spirited men will come n»rward. There appears to be a icadency on the part of many excellent citizens to shirk their duties t > . : • community. L nt-il boroughs are * ontrolled by a manageratid a paid- board of directors, the citizen must give hi services for the general good. Ibsliould not neglect his obvious duty in this connection, even though ii may entail some hardship upon hu- - self, because community interest c*alls liim, when he possesses m- n ability in this direction than the* average citizen, to the admitiistr-. ti\* ■ council of the town in wlrch h* r* sides. Pahiatua should ha\ e strong capable local body at the : « ..d of its municipal affairs, and we trust the electors will take a:i interest in their own borough.