PROMISES!

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 263, 2 August 1929, Page 18

PROMISES!

Sir, —Having followed the first debate very closely one cannot help thinking that the present Government are only repeating their previous performances which led to their dismissal from office some sixteen years ago. They did nothing. and the only memento of their existence is the large numbers of post offices each with a foundation stone bearing the statement that it was truly and faithfully laid by Sir Joseph Ward. They never improved the comfort of the railway carriages, but often promised the parents, before an election, that if they were returned to power they would raise the privilege age of children using the railways, but as soon as they were returned the official reply would always be, “It would upset the railway finances,” and so the promise • could not be carried out. So it was with votes for bridges and roads—the last budget before the election was full of these promises, and the voters, highly delighted, would vote for the Liberals; but as soon as the Liberals got back not a fraction of these votes would be expended. Towards the end of their career the Liberals became reckless with their promises, so much so that the United’s pre-election effort is evidently a good sample. Now we have Sir Joseph Ward tampering with our splendid system of main highways. His first attack is to undermine its sources of revenue, and then starving them with unexpended votes; the roads will go out of repair. Then Sir Joseph will realise what he never had to take into consideration in his previous the voting power of the motorists. The fact that there is a suggestion of an attempt to remodel the Reform Party should make the United Party realise that the country feel that the Unitcds are not going to be the success that was anticipated. If the United Party want to impress the electors with their good works then there is no better way than to scatter evidences of such in every part 'it New Zealand. Talk and promises are soon forgotten, and often n rankling disappointment is left behind, as we have for example in the earthquake areas. Keep on impnfving the roads and providing bridges, which are beyond the means of the local bodies, and this will provide more support to the Government than nil the exposures of Mr. Coates and the Reform Party. Sueh tacties will only gain sympathy for the fallen and ultimately recoil on the victors.—l am. etc.. WELL-WISHER. Wellingtoa, July 2ft.