LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Chronicle (Levin), 1 November 1946, Page 2

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

THE NEEDS OF OTAKI Sir, — The letter signed "Otakiite" under the heading " Mr . Thorn' Evasive" in a recent edition, is typical of the kind of attack that is made on representatives of the Labour Party by anonymous writers in the correspondence columns of the newspapers. Usually I take no notice of persons who lack the courage to attach their" signatures to letters in which they attack others whose attitude is expressed publicly, but lest there be any misunderstanding I will reply to this one. Towards the end of my meeting in Otaki, the Mayor, who was presiding, asked whether, if elected, I would assist in the solution of several local problems. He mentioned State rental and Maori housing and road and bridge problems, all of which were new to me. Instead of being "evasive" I very definitely said that I would at once take steps to familiarise myself with them, and do my best to have them solved satisfactorily. I further stated that I had been doing this kind of work for the people 'of Thames for the past eleven years, and that their appreciation had been shown at two valedictory gatherings recently at which several mayors, county chairmen, a minister of religion i and representatives of the Maori ; people thanked me for what I had1 been able to do, and at which also presentations were made, towards 1 which over 4000 .of the people of Thames had subscribed. I prom- j ised — and I wds sincere in this — , that I would render the same kind' of service to the people of the Otaki : electorate. ! To give practical point to my reply, I further stated that when a few weeks ago I received a letter signed by twenty settlers complaining that, owing to the mouth of the Rangiuru Stream being blocked by shingle, their properties were being flooded, I at once asked the Minister of Works to send an engineer to report on the problem, and if action were needed, to see that it was carried out. Within 48 hours this was done; a day or two after the machine was on the job, and a clearance of the shingle was effected. I may add that while this work was proceeding a deputation from the settlers met me to thank me, and that one of them then said that they had been trying fruitlessly for years to get something done, and that I had got the help they required within a few days. For the information of your readcrs, I may say that the gentleman who wrote me on behalf of the settlers on this matter rose in his place at the meeting, confirmed everything I had said and publicly thanked me. I leave it with the readers of your journal to judge as to whether or not this was "evasive." I am certain that they will now agree that the anonymous scribbler from