TE AWAMUTU COURIER Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays MONDAY, 22nd MAY, 1944 REHABILITATION POTENTIALS

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 68, Issue 5946, 22 May 1944, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU COURIER Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays MONDAY, 22nd MAY, 1944 REHABILITATION POTENTIALS

W'HAT is the rehabilitation potential of Te Awamutu district ? The question can well be asked and studied now, for this is certainly the time to set about the tasks of preparation. A quarter of a century ago men returned from the actual scene of war to find that insufficient consideration had been given for their return and for the demands that would arise. As a result many ill-considered projects for their re-absorption into civilian life had to be hastily contrived, and in that important transition many mistakes, due to lack of planning, were made. At very least that defect should not arise this time, and the consideration of this district’s rehabilitation potential should be earnestly undertaken. Many good foundations are well established, and it should be possible and practical to expand the range of opportunity. With an export trade of such vast quantities of dairy and other agricultural and pastoral products there is a considerable basis of trade around which to develop new enterprises for fulfilling the consumer demand. But it does not rest there. Much of our land is not fully utilised, and is capable of successful closer settlement within the range of established reading and other public amenities and services. Many of our farmers could, and would, by sub-division make available suitable areas for small-farm, production. For pig-raising and poultry production there is an acknowledged unsatisfied market, and it should be possible to determine the nature of cropping necessary and economically -Suitable for both these enterprises. It is not beyond practical possibility, also, that ways can be devised for successful growing of the basic materials for the development of enterprises which have become possible by new scientific processes. Still within the range of latent opportunities which are known to exist could be the utilisation of pottery and other clays in various parts of the district. Generally, a greater utilisation of natural resources such as these will develop around them a number of servicing and supply establishments that automatically attach themselves within the cycle of a district’s trade, for as surely as we can develop and expand production based upon the availability of natural resources so also shall we create new opportunities for servicing,, supply, and distribution. But there is no short cut or easy road; it is a matter for studied planning, preparation, and courage. And that is the sphere into which all of the best in ititiative and foresight, effort and perseverance, should now be directed. Just what is this district’s best rehabilitation potential that can be discovered and made practical for attainment .? The answer is not easy, but in seeking for the answer there is no better task for the studied consideration of our voluntary and public organisations just now. Moreover, it is a civilian duty to find the answer and to thereupon make clear the way in readiness for the return of the men and women who have held within our grasp the opportunities of our land. Nothing could be more timely, and certainly nothing would be more welcome than a widespread public awakening to the need for making available new economic opportunities which can be made ready and waiting for a day which it is hoped will not be long deferred and which, it could be even hoped, will be near at hand. What ? The answer is for everyone to find by suggestion and help, for organised endeavour to test by practical inquiry and research, for public and private resourcefulness, enterprise, and courage to promote through establishment the progressive stages which will end in successful accomplishment.