A REPLY TO “ELECTOR.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3773, 10 November 1914, Page 2

A REPLY TO “ELECTOR.”

[TO THE EDITOR]

Sir, —Your correspondent “Elector” sounds an entirely false note in your issue of 6th inst when he suggests that we should support the Reform candidate mainly because of the Railway requirements of this district, and he apparently thinks, although he does not say, that Gisborne would get better railway results under the Massey Government than wo would under the Ward Liberal Government.

Just let us consider the position; for “Elector” apparently suggests a very good reason why wo should act against Reform. It will be remembered that when the Massey Government- came into power there was a very large number of men working on our railways including a very large gang-working from-the Napier end. towards Gisborne. I think that without being acquainted with the official figures we might say there were some 600 to 800 men working on our East Coast Railways. Now, immediately u.e Liberal Government went out of office,the first thing the Massey Government- did was to stop work absolutely at the Napier end and very substantially reduce the work at this end by reducing the number of men employed, until to-dav there are fewer men /'.corking on the railway. than there ever were under the Liberal Government.

Another thing is the action of the Riform people Jfn voting a special lean of £3,200.000 mainly to he used in increasing tne Railway Stations at Wellington, Auckland, and other large centres, and duplicating some of the lines there, when we in this district are crying out and needing railway facilities to open up our virgin country. Again it is we’l known that while the Massey Government has increased the debt cf the Dominion more than anv other Government during their period of office, we have never had less road grants given to us for assisting the back blocks settlers. i would suggest to “Elector” that he should have another try and think of something better to justify us in voting for the Massey Government. —I am; etc., “ANOTH Eit ELECTOR.”