GISBORNE V. NAPIER.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 933, 4 July 1903, Page 2

GISBORNE V. NAPIER.

Under the above heading the Wairoa Guardian has a strong leader commenting on articles that have recently appeared ill the Times, upon the subject of reciprocity between Gisborne and Wairoa, our near neighbor. “As an outcome of recent agitation,” says the Guardian, “it appears now to be clearly settled that there is to be a decided contest between Gisborne and Napier, the one to secure, and the other to maintain the Wairoa trade.” 'After

this declaration, which we may pass for the time being, the Guardian proceeds : “ And as a consequence of the awakening of Napier in the very I nick of time, Gisborne plans have •been somewhat exposed. That there! should be newspaper friction is not unlikely—a friction, too, which promises to bear fruit in the shape of increased agitation on behalf of Wairoa interests. Napier has had our trade for many years, and did little to help in opening up the district, I and we venture to say that trade though limited by circumstances, has been singularly sound. Gisborne is seeking expansion, and is determined to push trade interests. What is more natural than that they should seek to work towards Wairoa ? But the doing so alarms Napier people and well it may. For Gisborne peo-

pie do not let trifles stand in the way of what they desire to accomplish.” After quoting a Times article in full, the writer concludes : “ All this agitation must do the

East Coast district good. We shall rejoice at the advancement of Gisborne, provided “ the powers that ’be ” accord us an equal measure of justice, but no longer will the people of this district submit to the neglect of the past. If one party in power

twill not come to our aid, others must I he sought who will.” The remarks of the Guardian upon this important subject will be noted with interest I by readers of the Times. We can I •assure the Wairoa public that everyl legitimate effort will be made to secure the bringing of their trade into the natural channel, which is Gisborne ; and the quickest way to secure this desirable arrangement for both towns is to obtain good roads, and if possible a railway from Gisborne to Wairoa and Waikaremoana. 'As for there being newspaper friction over the matter, there is no need for it, for Gisborne’s claims are paramount, and must he recognised ; upon the Guardian’s own showing, Wairoa would prefer being linked with Gisborne rather than with Napier. It is pointed out that Napier never helped that district, and that nothing is more natural than that Gisborne should work towards Wairoa. Therefore it behoves them now as they should long since have done, to fall in with Gisborne’s plans and at once agitate for a branch line of railway from this end. Napier cannot very well object to this, for they have had their share of expenditure in the matter of railway construction, and do not appear to have profited from it to the extent they anticipated. The whole of the northern members will undoubtedly support the extension of the Gisborne-Motu-Opotiki line, and if Wairoa is on the alert it might secure a substantial vote towards carrying the line to that pretty town. The cooperation of the Hawke’s Bay members should also be sought by them, as it will be only a matter of time for the line to reach Napier. The remark made by the Guardian as to expansion of our trade needs a little explaining. Gisborne is in the proud position of heing the chief port for the grandest district in the colony that is to say, the most richly endowed by nature. In the past there have been great obstacles to overcome, and it has been a grievous vexation to observe the thousands of acres of fertile land lying waste. Those obstacles are steadily being worn down by the persistency of the people. Crown lands yrre being put 'into profitable occupation, and hope is held out that the Government will not forever palter with the serious question of native lands. Wairoa has suffered like ourselves, but has made the mistake of looking 1 towards Napier and not to Gisborne. The position is becoming so obvious now that Te Karaka bids fair to outpace Wairoa in the progressive race; The fact is that Wairoa and Gisborne are

so situated that they should he welded into the closest compact for the benefit of both. The stream of tourist traffic must come via Gisborne, but Wairoa must, if the people are alive to their own interests, reap' a . rich share of the harvest* No tourist could claim to have seen ■* the district .without having visited Wairoa and Nuhaka. The question of trade expansion is merely the natural trend of things.] Gisborne’s productive powers increase every year, and there is a steady expansion on the soundest lines—that ex-

pansion must in due course include a profitable exchange of trade with Wairoa, .Whether Napier is awake or asleep in the matter we do not pretend to know;; but this district lias found from experience that the sooner we are freed from Napier ad-

WlllloblcLblUU 111 lUVJcti cuituia uuir ter. So far we have been refused separate Education and Land Boards, the refusal in each case -being made on inaccurate grounds ; but the time must come when we will no longer have to submit to the injustice entailed by, the present order of things

—and the time will also come when •Napier will find it advantageous to seek .Gisborne’s co-operation in trade and all other matters. .The separation must come, however, before we can establish the more abiding rela-