THE MEMBER FOR EGMONT

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 8 September 1923, Page 6

THE MEMBER FOR EGMONT

j (To the Editor.) I Sir,— T.he recent paragraph in the press concerning tine Parliamentary activities of Egmont representative, Mr. Hawken, is somewhat puzzling. Was it one of commendation, or, on the contrary, a piece of insidious propaganda ? As an instance take the local railway, and the reason of the above question becomes apparent, for in the House the Minister of Public Works takes all credit for the vigorous prosecution towards completion of this work, while' locally Mr. Hawken (by inference during a recent interview) and the Opiinake Times agree that that gentleman himself is the responsible narty. Obviously either one or the" other is wrong, and thus this conclusion must be arrived at: If the Minister is right and Mr. Hawken and the Opunake i Times wrong, then Mr. Hawken as a ! public servant has been well paid for ! his services, and merits no further re-1 ward. If Mr. Hawken is right and the ! Hon. J. 6. Coates wrong, then immediately the question becomes one of "spoils to the victor" policy; but Mr. Massey has often denied thus impeachment of the Reform Party. Finally, does this press publicity boosting barrage of Mr. Hawken herald an early appeal to the electorate? Thanking you for the space.—l am, etc., i S. MOORE.