GREATER LOYALTY TO WANGANUI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 97, 27 April 1939, Page 6

GREATER LOYALTY TO WANGANUI

CITY COUNCILLORS’ APPEAL SUPPORT FOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

While no specific motion was carried, members of the Wanganui City Council, at a meeting last night, supported views expressed by Cr. S. J. Harris that greater unity and loyalty among the people of the city with regard to Wanganui’s advantages and potential advancement were desirable. Support for the CiTamber of Commerce in its endeavour to encourage the setting up of further secondary industries in the city and discouragement of pessimism were the keynotes of Cr. Harris’ appeal. During discussion the question was asked: “Has the council a representative on the Chamber of Commerce and. if not. why? “I believe that something can be done to put Wanganui on the map,” Cr. Harris said. "We are running neck and neck with Invercargill for a pace as fifth city and we only retain that position because the populations are the same. There has been no increase in Wanganui over the past five years. Quite recently we have seen something of a challenge from Palmerston North, with a Thirty-five Thousand Club. While I do not want to be pessimistic, I think there is encroachment of other cities on what are the natural rights of Wanganui. I believe that it is within the scope of the burgesses of Wanganui to retain its position and improve it. If something is not done we will not be the fifth city in a year or so. but seventh or eighth.” Committee Suggested Cr. Harris was of the opinion that a committee* should be set up to remove the disabilities of Wanganui. He recalled Sydney’s Millions Club, Napier’s Thirty Thousand Club, both of which had been signally successful. "When I first came here I was struck with the apathy of Wanganui people,” he said, "the man in the street. I am satisfied that thq slogan of the man in the street in Wanganui is: ‘Leave it to the other fellow’.” The Mayor (Mr. W. J. Rogers) supported the views expressed and said that he and the town clerk had already been waited upon by the Chamber of Commerce and plans had been shown the chamber of land owned by the city and Harbour Board which could be made available to incoming industries at a pepper-corn rental. His Worship criticised people who had such little faith in the future of Wanganui that they advised others not to come here. The Harbour Loan Cr. C. N. Armstrong drew attention to the importance of the harbour and

the vital need for carrying the loan proposals coming forward in the near future. Industry would have to depend upon the harbour and if the boats being got in at present could be increased it would be all to the good of Wanganui. The City Council endorsing the Joan proposals would assist them to be carried. “If we all pull together the people of Wanganui will do something," said Cr. J. F. Broad. Cr. O. Hales was of opinion that once the railway deviation from Turakina to Fordell was put through the railways would offer such cheap freight rate; that the harbour would become useless. Cr. A. . Scoullar: The whole point has been missed. The only thing that | will place Wanganui on the map is I the Draffin scheme. You read it in I the papers and everywhere else. Rail Versus Harbour Cr. J. J. Scott, replying to Cr. Hales, said that one of the chief reasons for the suggested harbour loan was that the British Phosphate Commission had practically promised that the number of phosphate boats coming to Wanganui would be doubled if better accommodation was given them. That would not affect the railways. “In any case, there is something radically wrong when railways can compete with seaborne transport,” he said. “That is cheaper than rail trans- ' port. Wool has been carted by the railways from Wajiganui at rates I that, quite apparently, could not pay. | Citizens are not going to sit down ' long and see the railway do that just , to compete with the Harbour Board.” The Mayor said that he firmly be--1 lieved that when there was a readI justment of railway services, WangaI nui would be back on the main route. Development League Remembered . Cr. R. E. Cuthbertson deplored the poor support accorded the Wanganui Tourist and Development League, reminding the council that, because of party reasons he believed, a subsidy to that body had "been stopped. “The sori of things the league did helped to keep Wanganui going,” he said, “and it. is a pity it did not get more support.” j Crs. Armstrong and Scott both referred to the work of the Chamber of Commerce and to the need for affording it assistance. A question was asked as to whether the council had a representative on the chamber. J The Mayor: Councillors have been members of the chamber, but the council has no direct representative.