OPEN LETTER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 May 1944, Page 3

OPEN LETTER

TO THE YOUNG ELECTORS OF MASTERTON Those good people who in the past have chosen me as one of their representatives on the Borough Council 21 years’ service in all —need little information about me, but probably, at this election, there will be a large number of young ladies and young men who will be exercising their votes for the first time. This letter is therefore more especially addressed to them. In the course of a day or two I shall furnish my views as to future policy for this town of Masterton, but in the meantime it might not be amiss to give a few details concerning myself. I have lived in Masterton for the past 38 years, and have seen the town grow. I have been a hard worker all my life, and have always had the interests of the working girl and the young working man at heart. Perhaps my knowledge of your needs has been helped by the fact that I have brought up a family of my own here. You may not know that I took a great part in securing for the benefit of the people of southern Masterton the area known as South Park, and was chairman of the South Park Board for many years. Then again I was on the Memorial Park Board from its inception. Also I have taken the greatest interest in the improvement of the Masterton Park, which is one of the best in New Zealand. I promoted the children’s play area, and was chairman of the Park Committee for 6 years. My interest in all these has been largely due to the fact that they are wonderful assets for young people in their sports, recreations and other activities, such as Interhouse displays. We must have further development along the same lines for recreation and social activities for the young people of Masterton. I am very anxious for you to have more recreational facilities, as I know that since the earthquake you have laboured under a very severe handicap in not having social halls and suitable accommodation for your games, such as basketball, badminton, etc. It will be my aim to improve the playing areas, and my efforts will be made towards securing for the Borough the Cameron and Soldiers’ Memorial Park. Nev/ swimming baths are also sadly needed. To acquaint you further with my work for the town in the past, I may state that I have served on the Masterton Fire Board for 15 years, and been its chairman for the past 6 years. During the period when the Emergency Precautions Service was operating I was Chief Warden. Possibly your father or brother was a District or Zone Warden, in which case he will be able to tell you of this work. I have also given long service to the A. and P. Association, the Horticultural Society, the various Committees of the Borough Council, the Y.M.C.A.. School Committee, and the Workers’ Friend Building Society. The above is a record in which I feel I may take some measure of satisfaction. I have never allowed politics to enter into my work for the town. I feel it has no place in local body affairs. That is why my candidature is supported by all sections of the community and why my committee is drawn from union members, wage earners, and business men alike. Now I ask you to appoint me Mayor of this fine town of Masterton, and I feel that my appeal for your support will not be in vain. Yours for service, (P.8.A.) W. KEMP.