Poor Palmerston.

Feilding Star, Volume II, Issue 321, 19 July 1907, Page 2

Poor Palmerston.

If the result of the efforts of its member in Parliament are to be used as a gauge of the prosperity of Palmerston, the big town is in a parlous state. The principal arguments used to secure the return of Mr W. T. Wood, apart from personal abuse of his opponent, were that the prosperity of the place and the price of land would increase, and . that the Government would do so muph more in the Vray of expending public money there for such a supporter than for an opponent. So far as the value of land and property is concerned, there has been an undeniable slump ever since the election, and properties may be purchased for very considerably less now than twelve months ago. Business has also declined considerably, and the efforts of the " boomers " are fruitless. But all these things are beyond the control of a Parliamentary representative, and only foola — like many of Mr W. T. Wood's supporters who used the argument — would dream of blaming the member for the condition of things. But there is one argument that many people think there; is a good deal in about a representative I supporting the Government, and that

is his ability to secure a goodly share of tho loaves and fishes in the shape of v(v>s tor his district. And in this respect Mr Wood has fared worse than badly. He had three trumps up his tflocve— • a new railway station, making the Post Office a Chief Office, and establishing a bonded store. Yet, these three moderate requests have been unconditionally refused with a lack of concealment of the negative almost cruel in its 'certainty. Yet, , there is a crumb of comfort for the 'Palmerstonians— the question of a bonded store will be considered if the residents provide a building and pay the salary of a Customs officer! Why — Feilding's member is treated like a king compared to this, and when we get a grant for our Courthouse, which, we believe will be made this year, there will be nothing to growl about at all I '