The Wanganui Chronicle. "Nulla Dies Sine Linea." SATURDAY, OCT. 14th, 1916. THE HARBOUR AND THE MAIN TRUNK.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 16751, 14 October 1916, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. "Nulla Dies Sine Linea." SATURDAY, OCT. 14th, 1916. THE HARBOUR AND THE MAIN TRUNK.

Th,e delay, to some extent but not altogether unavoidable, in pushing on witfi the work of harbour construction, is not only disappointing to the citizens and settlers of this district, but it is in fact seriously prejudicial to the best interests of the entire community. We are making a port not merely to serve Wanganui and the immediate neighbourhood; it is destined to serve a much wider -territory than that. Its purpose is to make Wanganui the shipping "centre and the commercial metropolis of the great hinterland which lies at its back. Our eyes and our hopes are centred on the Main Trunk Country, the trade of which should be ours by right of geographical convenience. But we must do something to secure that right, lest other centres not *>o fortunately situated should overcome our geographical advantage i>y more" far-sighted and courageous. enterprise than we have yet shown. The Taihape "Times' speaks for the Main Trunk country when it says that mere talk of contemplated progress is of no value to the waiting settlers. Our contemporary speaks plainly, but we regard its criticism of our suicidal procrastination as being kindly and well meant. It says :— "Ten. years ago there were men in Palmerston who saw that the town's close connection with a port was essential if metropolitan aspirations were to be gratified. There were also those who were less far-sighted, who were content in the belief that some unseen force wouJd cause their town to blossom out to full metropolitan magnificence and power with, out any expenditure of thought or organisation on their part. The result is that Palmerston to-day is where it might have been a decade ago. If it had got control of the Foxton harbour then, which it certainly could have done if it had been insistent enough, there would now have been a fairly flourishing port through which the needs of a very large area of settlement would have been flowing in."

The experience of Palmerston is used to point the moral so far as Wanganui is concerned. "It is doubtful,'' frays the "Times," "whether Palmerston people have not altogether missed their opportunity." Wanganui is claiming that it is, by virtue of its port, the commercial centre of the Main Trunk country, but this, as viewed by our Taihape contemporary, is rather a dangerous claim. Our public men, and especially the members of our Harbour Board, would do well to note the significance of what the "Times" says:—

When we express the opinion that Wanganui is too parochial in its .efforts to become a great commercial centre, we at the same time cannot help admiring the efforts towards that end, which only a few are making, than can be classed as commu-nity-building. Wanganui has failed to realise the fact that the dajT is at hand when East Coast ports will be striving to push their interests as far across the island as possible. Their arterial roads nre now made, and are in perfect order ris*ht up io the boundary of the Itangitkoi Coun- , ty, ready for any eventuality. What are the West Coast ports doing in this respect? What is Wanganui doing while tlie roads from East Coast ports are in readiness right up vo with'n a few miles of Taihape? Talking abetit being a commercial centre is not what is needed. Palmerston did that years ago, and "missed the 'bus." Before Wanganui can possibly Jay claim to being the port of tins territory —which naturally it could lay claim to —its capacity to dea! with in and out requirements must be assured and perfected. Palmerston talked of its port ten years

ago, and from the Icara Trunk' 6 point of view Wauganui is doing little more than talking now. The harbour must be put in a condition for the heaviest traffic; biggest ships must bo brought to wharves so that cargo can be handled with facility; the possibility of delay or outrageous charges must have no place, before Wanganui community-builders can even hold their own with a great part of the Taihape hinterland against the East Coast ports. In time Wanganui people will realise' the importance of more enterprise in drawing trade to their port, which is in danger of falling into other hands. It appears to the onlooker that unless Wanganui harbour arrangements are brought right up-to-date, and its people take the map and outline its natural territory, and then g,et to work to organise it and do all other things that will tend to popularise Wanganui as a commercial centre, it will be a long time before any valid claim in that connection can be fairly made.

W,e frankly accept the sentiments expressed by the "Taihape Times" in the nature of a friendly warning. We are not at all surprised that the Main Trunk is beginning to chafe at our delay, and it as not without diffidence that we venture to counsel a little more patience, in the hope that the near future will see the inauguration of a more expeditious programme of harbour construction. We ourselves are far from satisfied with the happenings of the past two years, and while we recognise the difficulties occasioned !:y the war, we are not at all sure that the Board has done all that it mignt have done in the way of progressive work. It is to be hoped that the Taihape warning will not be permitted to «o unheeded.