GOOD ROADS CAMPAIGN.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16496, 31 July 1924, Page 9

GOOD ROADS CAMPAIGN.

(To tlie Editor of the Herald.) N'.r, Prom lime to time many excellent leading articles; appear in your joiirn::.l, seeking to inspire public policy in flic matter of local or d'i,strict affairs. <>ur continued' advocacy of any cause he tin* common good is to h© commended. but i lie apathy of the public and the Iruiers m civic affairs is to be deplored. Complaints and - criticism are frequent, enough, but how rarely, if ever, do we see whole-hearted' co-operation or comprehensive measures to overcome or alleviate the difficulties or disabilities which oppress us. A very olid' saying ' is. ‘’Where there is no vision, the people perish.” It may not be quite applicable to the people of this district*, but. it comes near enough to the cause of much of the “drift along” methods that exist. We seem to be afflicted with some form of “sleepy sickness” from which no pen or tongue is inspired enough to awaken us. After having endured so much of the “slump spirit” we are, left. in. a similar state as one experiences after an attack of the “ ’ilu,” and it seems difficult to throw off the resulting ennui." It seems to me, sir, that the finest, tonic for recovery is “faith in the future of our district.” We. do not realise sufficiently the wealth of our .inheritance in the magnificent area of country all around us from East CapcWo Mahia. It is unsurpassable in the Dominion for sheepgrazing, dairying, agriculture, or fruitgrowing. The wealth to he extracted from it is only limited bv the efforts of tlie holders.

Your leading article has frequently set forth, tlie value and necessity of good roads as an effective agency in promoting the development of the great areas northward of Gisborne. The coming into existence and operation of the Main Highways Board is evidence that the Government, realises that provision must be made for raiding that will enable the residents of railless districts, to use their own locomotives (motors) for the conveyance of goods and passengers. We can look back only a. few years and remember when the farmers on almost all lands were considered in the back-blocks. 'Then came the telephone, and with, its .adoption almost universally, the distance between one and other, and between country and town, became' annihilated. Since then we have seen the perfection antf adoption of another great annihilatov of distance —the motor ear, or to - use its correct description, automobile. Both of these scientific machines have, come to stay, and every person’s life, whether rich or poor, is enhanced 1 in comfort and convenience by the use thereof, even, if not the, possessor of one in his owii right. Provision must be made for their use to the fullest possible, extent.

It is needless for me to write more than to direct the attention of your readers to your leader in last night’s issue on “Good' Roads.” Perhaps many passed it by at a glance; if so, I trust they will take time to read! and 1 absorb the facts you so plainly set forth. Methods of construction can ho left to engineers, but every resident of this town and district should be seized of the importance and value of good roads, to the general well-being of all. Let ns hope that with the raiding schemes being propounded by Borough and County Councils, we are on the threshold, of greater things in the development and prosperity of this wonderful East Coast district. Let the townspeople adopt the slogan, “Good Roads for Gisborne.” and go Tor them until tliev get them.—Yours, etc. “CO-OPTIMIST.”