WHAT HAS MR HOGAN DONE?

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14467, 4 December 1914, Page 8

WHAT HAS MR HOGAN DONE?

I TO THE EDITOR. Sir,~Mr Hogan’s conceited claim that Wanganui has lost because it has not had him as its representative during the past three years, prompts one to ask -what has Mr Hogan done during that period to make up the loss? The answer is: Simply nothing. He hardly over attended the Harbour Board, on which he was Government nominee. When the Government offered to re-appoint him ho refused and allowed it to appoint a member of the “Reform" party in his place. This is no reflection on-Mr Bruce, who is a good member, it merely shows how zealous Mr Hogan’s offer to the “Reform” really is. Mr Hogan did not take any part in local politics; he took no interest whatever in the Borough Council, the school committees, or anything else. He never identified himself with a single public movement. He never,- even in the most supreme crisis in the history of the British Empire, came forward to join or help the, patriotic committee. ■He did literally nothing for three years but sulk because he was. out of it. His attitude simply was—i won’t work—otherwise I would work. ,He would work in Parliament—when he was paid—he wouldn’t work out of it, when he wasn’t paid. Compare his attitude with that of Mr C. E. Mackay who, though beaten, at one Parliamentary election after another, went on working energetically for the public, in other capacities. And now, after three years .of doing nothing for the .public, Mr Hogan appeals for another chance, .even though lie has refused to “play the game.” “Yes,” Wanganui has -certainly “lost” by Mr Hogan’s retirement. ' It has lost a- man who like a spoiled child “won’t play” unless he is the leading: light. It is to be hoped the electors will make Mr Hogan stay “lost.” —I am, etc., PUBLIC SPIRIT.