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Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2097, 27 July 1887, Page 3

To the Editor of the Standard. Sir,—Your correspondent signing himself •' Settler," Waihakcke. states that he is a

stranger to the district. I should think he is, or he would not have libelled Mr Buchanan’s cbaractcr by stating that he his not the in- • crests of the electors at heart. I have only been in the Wairarapa a low years, out I can honestly say, and laige nun- -era of the elector! can prove, that " Setri-r’s ” accusation

against Mr Buchanan in tnis respect is fa . - and unfounded Three year sag", the present candidates were perfect strangus to me. Duriug this period of Mi Buchanan’s parliamentary career, I have wutctied him very close'y, and I can say with confidence that he has used his indue one and powers for the furtherance of the interests of his own con stituenoy and the colony at large. “ Settler ” save Mr Buchanan has laid great stress in bis f 'cent speeches on retrenchment, and asks why ho did not move in that direction before. I reply he has done so. I quote one instance, the case *.i the Northern Trunk Railway ; he objected to that hue being carried out at present, and stated very satisfactory reasons for doing so. His objections were, that the line would cost an enormous sum of money, which, in the present critical state of the colony, it would be unwise to undertake. His other objection was, the line would have to pass through a vast area of a thinly populated country, which would cause a considerable loss to the colony for working the railway. Il Mr Buchanan has not the interests of the electors and district at heart, why did he bring the subject up in Parliament about the disgraceful state of the employes' cottages at Cross’s Creek ? The most serious objection that the opponents of Mr Buchanan can bring against him is, that be is a large landowner. 1 say all honor to a man who by his indomitable plock and perseverance has raised himself from the ranks of the working man to a position of influence and power in the Parliament of the country ; why is not Mr Bunny in as high a position as the member of the Wairarapa ? He has good abilities and he has had opportunities far greater than bis opponent. If he has neglected those chances, if he has let them slip never more to return, then it is no credit to him to pose

himself as a pour man Again, ” Settler ” shows a stranger’s ignuiauce, by accusing the C.uteitou electors with cowardice. He says Low is it, if the electors are so well pleased with our member’s services, that at none of Lis meetings a vote of confidence has been proposed? Well, for the last three years it has been a well-known fact that Mrßuchanau has preferred a vote of thanks to a vote of confidence. " Settler ” advocates the return of men of ability to carry on the business of the country. Yes, aud the member for Wairarapa ha - proved himself a man of shrewd business ability, a practical and successful agriculturalist, not a dependent on the state, but a thorough worker ; a man who by his agricultural abilities, Lus knowledge of the district and colony, is able and worthy to represerl and wealthy, and important agricultural constituency as the Wairarapa. 1 am, <te., Working Man.