“NO DEPRESSION”

Taranaki Daily News, 22 January 1935, Page 2

“NO DEPRESSION”

TAUMARUNUI’S PROSPERITY.

CENTRE OF A RICH DISTRICT.

Taumarunui may claim to be among the few towns in New Zealand on which the icy hand of depression has made little impression, according to comments made to a Daily News representative by a Taumarunui business man on Sunday. The town had suffered little compared with the average in New Zealand, he said, and to-day was a flourishing centre. In the first place it was a natural centre, he explained, and supplied the needs of a large arid rich district. Within the borough boundaries the population was less than 3000, but a large railway settlement just outside the boundary brought additional custom to its shops. Within a radius of four miles no less than 12 timber mills, employing in all probably 1000 men, were busy, and these men came into town regularly after pay day and spent as timber men traditionally do. Even during the slack periods of last year, when the output of the mills grew less, the men were not dismissed in most cases, but were given short time. They received a diminished wage, but it was still fairly good. The borough owned its own electrical supply, and every year a substantial profit running into many thousands of pounds had been made. Business was always good, and yesterday there was one empty house —it had been empty for two days Certainly a glance at the prosperous looking shop fronts, the imposing buildings, the sight of a large new theatre practically completed. Of a new and handsome post office, all seemed to bear out the boast.

There was one flaw in this otherwise almost perfect town. It was largely of war-time growth, and land was bought and was still valued on war-time and post-war values. Consequently rates were not as light as they might be, and the sky not as clear from cloud as it might at first glance seem. Nevertheless, Taumarunui is wealthy, has splendid prospects as far aS timber development is concerned, and is thoroughly prosperous and active.