OHINEMURI WIPED OUT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 121, 25 May 1927, Page 10

OHINEMURI WIPED OUT.

SITTING MEMBER SURPRISED.

ONLY A REVISION EXPECTED,

FIGHT IN NEW ARENA."'

'"The intimation that Ohincmiiri was to be wiped out of existence was entirelv unexpected, af far as I was concerned," said Mr. A. M. Samuel, M.P. (Ohinemuri). "1 certainly anticipated a slight alteration of the boundary. My opinion wa.s that the electorate would* be made geographically square, by the exclusion of Waihi, which is on the other side of the range, and by the possible exclusion of Te Aroha and Moninsville. Especially did I incline to this opinion by reason of the return to life, consequent upon the granting of liquor licenses, and the community of interest, between the places 1 have mentioned. There was also the fact that the dividing range was a geographical bar to the inclusion of Waihi. "Everybody knew that an electorate in the South Island had to go, and that a new electorate bad to be created in the North Island, but I, personally, never ex - pflfced that the creation of a new electo-

rate in tee North would J>e brought about l>y wiping out one electorate altogether—and an old established electorate at that. It seems to me like pulling up au old oak tree, root and branch, to plant a seedling on adjacent ground. Many Problems of District. "I have gone to no end of trouble to acquaint myself with the problems of Ohuiemuri. I think lam safe in saying that this electorate has the greatest problems of any electorate in the Dominion, notably river improvement works, land drainage, mining and land settlement. These are problems which, in the main are wrapped up in this electorate, but the solution of which vitally concerns the whole Dominion. "I went to Ohinemuri practically as a stranger amongst the people, but, aa a result of trying to help them iu their difficult problems, I feel that I am now one of them and that I have made their interests my own. Having to go into another electorate and break new ground will feel like severing an old family tie. Fought Two Elections. "After having fouyht only two elections, against two of the strongest men in Mr. T. M. Wilford, «f the Lower Hutt, and Mr. Hugh Poland, of Ohinemuri, and established myself in the last mentioned place—and I think [ might say without undue egotism, establishing myself fairly solidly—it has now fallen to my lot to lay aside the gloves and step out into a new and unknown arena. If I do decide to contest another seat, and should I have the good fortune to be elected, it will be my endeavour to give the same service as I have already given during my short but busy term as" a member of the House of Representatives."