The Daily News. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1920. DAWN OF A NEW ERA.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 October 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1920. DAWN OF A NEW ERA.

Two events of considerable sig-. nifieanee have occurred in connection with the port lately. The first was the complete loading of such a large vessel as the Port Pirie with produce from the three Taranaki ports, and the second the arrival this week of the Mamari direct from, Home with a cargo of general merchandise for Taranaki. It requires little imagination to realise that a new era has dawned for the province, and one pregnant with possibilities. It means that at last Taranaki is in a position to export its produce j and import its goods direct, and that the people as a whole are now united as they never have been before in the desire to utilise the deep-water harbor that has been constructed in the face of great natural and other difficulties and at considerable expense. It means also that the hopes and dreams of the sturdy ; band qf men—some of whom have passed away, but many of whom are fortunately still with us—responsible for the building of the harbor at Moturoa have at last been realised. The big ships have come —24 to date — to take away our produce, and now the import trade is about to begin; indeed, has begun. It is really a red-letter day in the history of the port in particular and Hie province in general. It was but fitting therefore that such an important stage in the progress and development of Taranaki should be marked by the commercial community in a special manner, and the functions on 'Wednesday promoted by the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce were worthy of the occasion. f It is pleasing to -see the keen interest manifested by all parts of the province in the harbor and in the establishing of direct shipping services. They realise, of course, the immense value to them, as reel! as to those living nearer, of a deep-water port and of direct shipping. Hence the unanimous and cordial support given the proposal, made by the Taranaki Chamber, to inaugurate right away a regular service fi'om Home to New Plymonth. The shipping companies also recognise that Taranaki has reached its majority and requires facilities for direct trade, and are prepared to provide them, on conditions, too, which must be acknowledged to be very reasonable. They ask simply for a minimum cargo of 1000 tons per vessel. Seeing that Taranaki imports from Home and abroad some 37,000 tons annually, it should not be at all difficult to arrange for 1000 tons of cargo quarterly. It will perhaps take a little time to organise and concentrate the trade, but once established we are satisfied the service will be such a success as will necessitate a much more frequent one. The Chamber is well advised to commence in the modest way pro-

posed, and gradually build it up. As soon as the trade warrants it further boats, no doubt, will be made available. The shipping companies are being asked to commence the service next January, and thence every quarter. It rests with the commercial interests to make the initial loadings thoroughly successful. That they will have the co-operation of all concerned there is no doubt, for the benefits accruing from a regular direct service are as manifest as they are considerable. Whilst Taranaki's import trade is now 37,000 tons annually, it is certain that with the development going on, theopening up of the hinterland, and the increased, prices for dairy produce, the imports will be more like 70.000 tons in a few years. As there will be a direct saving of at least 35/- a ton it can be seen what a tremendous thing it will be for the province, as well as a great convenience to all concerned. The disabilities and loss . connected with transhipments at Wellington are fully appreciated by the commercial men of Taranaki. who, it goes -without saying, will be glad when they can get their goods direct. Now they have but to arrange at the Home end for their requirements to be despatched by the direct boats for New Plymouth, and the future improvement of the service will rest entirely with them. We join with others in congratulating Mr. Newton King upon his courage and enterprise in starting the import trade, the Harbor Board upon the success it has already attained, and the province upon gaining its majority in this all important matter. We would but add that Taranaki's future is in the hands of its people, and that it will be just what they make it. A gratifying feature is that they are sensible of this fact and are showing commendable activity and energy in promoting ' the interests of a province that is endowed by nature with re--1 sources and advantages second to those of no other province in the Dominion, or, indeed, in the ..world.

ELECTIVE EXECUTIVE. Mr. C. E. Statham had the ..tiaf action on Monday night of creating a diversion in the House by moving the second reading of a forlorn hope in the shape of an Elective Kxecutive Bill. It is one of those proposals that possess a certain attraction for idealists, but fails to appeal to practical people, whether politicians or otherwise. The member for Kaiapoi (Mr. D. Jones) fairly accurately represented the bulk of public opinion when he described the object of the measure as "the dream of sentimentalists." Regarded from a constitutional point of view the proposal is impossible. The King is the head of the Government in New Zealand just as much as in Britain, though represented by his appointee—the Governor-General—and the Ministers of tiie Dominion are his "advisers," so that when a Government loses the confidence of the people's representatives, the outgoing Prime Minister suggests to the Governor-General whom he should send for to form another Ministry. So long as Party Government continues, so long must the leader of the majority party be responsible for selecting his colleagues. No other course is practicable. Moreover, successful Government can only be achieved when the members of the Executive are in accord not only in matters of policy, 'but also in the spirit of cooperation, amity, and loyalty. No head of a large business concern would for a moment entertain the idea of his departmental managers being appointed by the rest of the staff, and administering the affairs of a country is certainly the largest and most important business concern in existence. If ever the time arrives when Parliament will consist of members absolutely devoid of party spirit or the desire for office, but are all animated by superlative altruism, it may be possible to carry on the business of government in the maimer proposed by Mr Statham."Apparently there is no likelihood of such a metamorphis of human nature this side of the millenium. .Meanwhile it is worthy of note that the leader of the extreme Labor Party (Mr. Holland) consider* the present system "must give way to an industrial system of representation." which may be regarded as a forecast of the time when the (Labor) lion will lay down beside the lamb (as representing the meek and long suffering public)—the lamb being inside find not outside the lion.