AN OPEN LETTER TO CABINET MINISTERS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 8, 4 October 1919, Page 4

AN OPEN LETTER TO CABINET MINISTERS

[Per favour tho Editor, The Dominion.] ijHon. Gentlemen—There appears in y)HB Dominion oh September 25 n leading article under the heading, "A Ear to ..Progress." Should this article have escaped your notico, through pressure, of your Ministerial duties, may I humbly suggest, that your secretaries procure a ?ppy ,of tho article, and, even at.the expense ■of some personal sacrifice; you make yourselves thoroughly acquainted wath every sentence appearing in that article. For, quite apart from its polU tics, a nioro worthy, logical, and .sensiblo article has never appeared in the leading columns of any journal in thid Porninion; And this article is dealing with a-matter of first importance from a.national viewpoint, which has of lato 'b& como conspicuous, by the significant silence of tho Government as to any pos-. sible practical attempt to ameliorate tho shocking conditions that have so- long prevailed. To "the writer's knowledge, for upwards of twenty-fivo years, deputations : 'at different times have waited upon; Ministers of Public Works in this important matter, only to be told that it would bo looked into, or that it was being, "kept steadily in view." Where are we, gentlemen? If were to approach the Minister of Public Works forthwith, on the > matter of this important railway deviation, they would most probably be told that, in view of tiie approaching .elections,, he, was -not prepared to make any commitments that B possible successor may bo called upon to fulfil, and so the delay goes on. If the Government will' give -this' matter the earnest and prompt, attention that it deserves and will forthwith make themselves ■■• personally acquainted with the large and fertile Wairarapa district,-they will not'fail to recognise that Mr. Coleman PhillipsV articles have a great deal to commend them on this important deviation. Finance and labour difficulties have in tlie past been used as argument to justify inaction. But even to-day, with high interest fates ruling, this.important national -undertaking would'be an economically sound .investment. Gentlemen, for the sake of the Dominion's prosperity, and tho.welfaro of the taxpayers you are representing, may we soon hear an announcement that it is the; Government's intention to put these important : works in hand without frather empty promises P—l am, etc.,': r ■ ■'■ ■' -''■■'' > „ , ;. T. 0. HAYCOCK. \f Marlinhorough, September 29; 1919. '