The Daily News WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1927, PROGRESS OF TARANAKI.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 January 1927, Page 6

The Daily News WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1927, PROGRESS OF TARANAKI.

To the old settlers of Taranaki, who remember how slow was the progress of the province in the early part of its existence, when it was quite common to hear it proclaimed by outsiders that the district was fifty years behind the times, the great forward strides made in more recent years must present a striking contrast. Many factors have operated towards facilitating the transformation that has taken place. It is justifiable to assert that, at the present time, Taranaki stands in the van of progress, and that the spirit which animates all classes of its citizens is not only worthy of the high reputation achieved in the dairy industry, but provides convincing testimony of the existence and activity of business men of outstanding merit and force. It was a long time before the province had the benefit of leaders in its various affairs who had the good fortune to possess extended vision, breadth of view, capacity and determination. ; Such men have made Taranaki what it is to-day, and will, it is to be hoped, continue their good work. Progress and expansion have not been confined to any one part of the province; it has been general, not only in the case of primary producers, but in the boroughs, counties, and townships throughout the whole province, It would almost seem that pace of progress has been regulated by the means of transport—bullock drays, horse-drawn vehicles, and, lastly, high speed motors. Improved railway facilities, good tar-sealed roads, motor lorries, co-operative dairy factories, freezing works, herd testing and culling, the use of scientific aids for production and manufactures, have all contributed to progress and prosperity. Above all may be placed great improvements at the port, enabling large overseas vessels to land imports and load exports for carriage to'the markets of the world, chiefly Britain. Not only have the number of these large freighters calling at the port of New Plymouth considerably increased, but so has their tonnage. Tn the year 1918 only one of such vessels visited the port, but during the twelve months just ended the number had grown to fifty-six, out of a total of 365 vessels trading here, one of the liners being well on the way to 12.000 tons, while the gross tonnage totalled 714,600. For the first time in the history of the port the Customs revenue on imports at New Plymouth last year exceeded £120,000, whereas in 1917 the revenue-from the same source was 0n1y".£50,316. Needless, to say, the people throughput Taranaki benefit materially by each direct shipment. The prosperity of the province

depends mainly upon the dairy industry, so that direct shipment of the produce is of paramount importance, as it involves only one handling, which is essential in the case of such goods as butter . and cheese, which are easily adversely affected by exposure and the rough handling of butter boxes and cheese crates. In view of the keen competition which now prevails owing to supplies of greatly improved dairy produce exported by other countries, it is pleasing to note that the question of raising and maintaining the quality of dairy produce is receiving increased attention, and there are grounds for anticipating that before long it will be possible to land butter on the London market in a condition of freshness and flavour that should make it quite as valuable as the best Danish. The outlook for dairy produce, so far as Tsraiiaki is concerned, is quite favourable. The market, for pigs is. also promising, and is likely to be an increasingly important factor in the revenue of farmers. Another evidence of progress is the supply of hydro-electrical power to farmers throughout the district. In the towns expansion has also been taking place, as evidenced by the building operations. Altogether, the new year looks distinctly promising for Taranaki.