Our Member.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXIV, Issue 4280, 19 November 1901, Page 4

Our Member.

[to the editor.] Sib, —I see that Mr Charles Hall, M.H.R., impacted some valuable information to those of his constituents who waited upon him the other night. The statement he made, however, does not reflect much credit upon Mr Seddon’s sagacity or business acumfen and 'the explanation of the non-acquisition of the Abbotsford estate is so ridiculous that one stands aghast at the childlike faith that Bwallows such a yfirn and the innocence of the member who gives voice to it. A simple country runholder was too much for the astute Board, who took no steps to acquire the property compulsorily, aDd so the owner cut it up amongst his family. This is a lame and impotent conclusion to all the bombast we used to have thrown at us, especially at election times, that as soon as we were represented by a Liberal we would have land for settlement provided for our wants. We may have it yet, however, for Mr Hall tells us Mr Seddon will acquire the property, “if possible.” Mr Hall himself no doubt thinks it will take a good deal of persuasion for his constituents to believe in the, sincerity of the Government to acquire land for settlement purposes contiguous to Waipawa, so he would like Mr Seddon to come here and address the electors. Well, I for one don’t care a dump whether Mr Seddon comes or stays away. He assured a deputation that waited on him here, that land for settlement purposes would be acquired in the vicinity of Waipawa. He gave a “ straightforward ” answer (that evidently satisfied Mr Hall) that the Abbotsford property was in the hands of the Government, and now Mr Hall tells us the owner divided the property amongst his family, as any sensible man would do. I would like to ask Mr Hall what he has done for us in getting land for settlement and does he think he has earned the additional £6O a year he was so instrumental in tacking on his salary ?—I am, etc., Elector.