A VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 59, Issue 58, 9 April 1930, Page 6

A VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS

Some illuminatmg facts and'figures were plaeed before the members of ihe Napier Chamber of Commerce at their meeting vesterday by the New Zealand Trade and Tourist Commissioner to Australia, Mr L. J. Schmitt, who presented in a most capable manner much statistical information concerning New

Zealand in general and Hawke's Bay in particular. His comparisons and deductions will be read by everyone with the greatest of interest, for thev show that, despite many disadvantages, the province of Hawke's Bay has made more rapid strides proportionatelv than any other portion of New Zealand. Those who had the privilege of listening to Mr Schmitt were satisfied' that in selecting him to represent us in Australia the New Zealand Government has made 'a wise choice, for he should prove a wide-awake . and effieient ambassador and do much good work in furthering the interests of this Dominion. His speech yesterday proved him a fluent speaker and a keen observer. Mr Schmitt, we are pleased to note, is seized with the knowledge of the great strides that have taken place in Hawke's Bay during the past'few years, and likewise his utterances suggest that he has made himself fully acquainted with the vast possibilities ahead of this province. It is a remarkable fact, nevertheless, that when our visitor came to the question of our harbour his vision began to weaken. Mr Schmitt dealt with out magnificent climate. He referred to Napier 's picturesqueness and its pretty situation. He went into ecstasies concerning our wonderful views — the grand Marine Parade, the magnificent panorama of the sea, plain and mountains beyond. He remarked on the extraordinary richness and high productivity of our soil and the remarkable growth Hawke's Bay had experienced during the past few years. But when the speaker came to the all-impor-tant question of the harbour — in fact, the most important factor in the future development of Hawke's Bay — he was unable to proceed further in that direction, for the clearness with which he pictured every other phase of our daily life and industrv became so mistv, and to him so vague, that he hesitated to proceed further on that line. He said he would "refrain from saying too much about the harbour hecause there was a danger that he might get into deep water, some of which was not top clear just now." Mr Schmidt is quite right, and we do not blame him for his nervousness in this respect. The water of harbour politics at Napier is "not too clear just now," nor has it been too clear for twentv years past. We would not like Mr Schmitt to go away without having a look into the discoloured water, however, for his keen powers of observation, if he will but peer more attentivelv into the discolouration, will disclose to him many interesting facts i^i the cloudiness into which he is! at present reluctant to gaze. If "Mr Schmitt will look more closely he will observe that there are discolourations of many hues and of much variety. Some are caused by petty jealousies. others by bickerings, still others by rivalries and others by vested interests. Still closer observation will

reveai years ot wasteiul and extravagant expenditure, closer inspection still will reveai barrowloads of gold that have been tipped into the water he says is not too1 clear. On every hand he will see reports and opinions of eminent engineers and navigators ruthlessly trampled into the muddy bottom, data that has been neglected, everywhere discontent and disappointment. But beyond all this, beyond the discolouration, the uncertainty and insecurity of twentv years of drift in harbour politics our friend will, if his. powers of vision will remaimkeen, see stretched out before him a wonderful era of prosperitv, a panorama eloselv studded with enlightenment and enterprise and based on the practical eommonsense lines of many eminent people who have advised us on the harbour question. Present indications show that the discolourations are lessening considerably, and we are optimistic enough to forecas.t that if Mr Schmitt returns to Napier within the next few years he will not be afraid to get into the deep water, nor will his keen powers of observation be prevfented from seeing clearly into everything that is connected with the Jiarbour. The length of time it will take to clear the discoloured waters of harbour politics in Hawke's Bay will be dependent entirely upon the apathetic sheepfarmers and business people of the province themselves. A healthv sign. for Hawke's Bay is a slow, but sure, awakening in , this respect.