PLAIN SPEAKING.

Evening Star, Issue 16907, 3 December 1918, Page 6

PLAIN SPEAKING.

ruAi_N D .i ij * i. J v X IN Lt * TO THE EDITOR,. Sir, —I am entirely in accord with vmir corrorpondent “ Works, Not 'Speeches,” who states in this evening’s paper that the time has arrived, for plain speaking. His statement “ that business organisations and private individuals .should combine in sincerity with a now spirit ” is a suggestion that should not be allowed to fall on barren ground. The people, of Otago generally have adopted (,ho attitude of the tramp who is quite content to lie under a tree and wait till fho fruit ripens and drops into bis mouth. However, it is to be hoped that “Works, Not. Speeches” and the public generally will wake up out of their long sloop and keep a. watchful eye on the Government in connection with their repatriation scheme, the details of which will lie published' in the near future. It is odds on, owing to the North Island having nearly u dozen more members of Parliament than the South Island, also a more energetic class of people to keep them up to the mark, that Otago will bo treated in exactly the same manner as has been meted out to her m the past. After the last meeting of delegates to the members of Parliament called together by the Expansion League a Dunedin member of Parliament informed me that North Island members were continually reminded of the wants of their districts by agitations of all kinds; in Otago these reminders to parliamentary representatives are conspicuously absent, life result is that there is not an experimental farm in Otago, the military canvyw are all in the North Island, and last, Btit not least, the money for hydroelectric development is _ to be spent ?11 in tho North, and Otago’s splendid water supply is to remain untapped for many years to come. It is quite surprising to find that in certain influential quarters in this city the Government are receiving support for proposals that are nothing less than .an unfair and iniquitous distribution of the public funds of the Dominion. It was the last straw that did all the barm to the camel’s back, and if Otago is not given a square deal in the repatriation proposals indignation meetings should be held, and a determined people notify the authorities in Wellington that they are alienating the sympathy and support of the public here, and that the time has arrived to seriously consider whether wo should' not cart ourselves adrift from tho sway of politicians who have so faint an idea of what fair play really means. Some time ago an agitation of the Expansion League was mentioned to a Cabinet Minister, who remarked; “ Oh, well, you know how long an agitation lasts in Otago. They will forget it in a few weeks.” He .also stated at that time that tho Southland League was a. power to be reckoned with. The war is now happily ended. It is now more than ever necessary that Otago should speak with one voice. Might. I respectfully suggest that advantage be taken of tho new constitution of the Expansion League to

have branches formed in ©very centre of the province. Delegates from all the branches will meet twice yearly, when the problems confronting us can be dealt with, and all agree on a united, policy to further progress and combat the influences in Wellington that most assuredly will be used against Otago.—l am, etc., W. Btttaut Wilson. December 2. 1 I j ! | j ! I j | | | 1