LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1218, 29 August 1911, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

4 NEGLECTED WESTPORT. Sir—l should like to ask through tho medium of your columns the reason why the Wes.tnort electorate has never had a visit from one member of tho Opposition in order to enlighten the electors of this district of the doings of the Government. Now, sir, the rest of the coast has had moro than one visit from them, and Westport, has been passed over, although ono of the members passed through here on his way to Wellington after visiting tho southern electorates. When asked to give an address here he replied that there had been no arrangements made for tho same, and on inquiries being made found ho had come and gone without making himself acquainted. As this is one of the most important districts in tho Dominion, with its valuable coal, timber, and gold industries, I think tho treatment seems hardly justified. I am sure if we had a visit from an Opposition member-, say Mr. Massoy himself, ho would receive a very hearty welcome, and I am sure would impart to the electors some very valuable information, such as they have never heard before, more especially as they never hear anything from their own member, and the right-thinking portion of the electors are very tired of that. Thero is a growing feeling here that it is a pity tho Opposition did not pay more attention to this part of tho Dominion, and see their way clear to put up a candidate against tlio present Government. Probably tho reason is that the seat has been held so long by tho Government that they think it is useless, but with tho labour questions growing at tho rate tlu-y are, and the doings of the Government in many Departments, I consider an Opposition" candidate would have a very good chance indeed.

The labour question hero just now is a very burning oiio, and many of the labourers in Government employ arc disgusted at the treatment motcd out to •them by their superior officers, and are beginning to express themselves very freely on tlio matter, as the treatment of some" officials is unbearable in many Departments. The conclusion arrived at is that it is purely local government, and that at headquarters there is nothing known of half what gees on. Now, sir, I trust that when Parliament prorogues, Mr. Massey will see his way clear to pay ite ,i visit, or induce one of his colleagues, as I am sure ho would bo amply repaid for the visit, and reccivo such valuable information as would be of value to the Opposition when Parliament again meets.—l am, etc., KAI-OUA. Westport, August 20, 1911. WHY SO ILL-HUMOURED? Sir,—l was very sorry to read in Saturday's paper the very bad-tempered frame of mind Sir J. Ward, Bart., returned to New Zealand in. I should liavo thought, after the very handsome way New Zealand had treated him in the way of his expenses and in granting him a longer holiday than the other Prime Ministers had wlio went to the Coronation, in addition to having Sir J. Findlay's expenses paid for company for him, the. Priiuc Minister might, at least, have treated us courteously. The whole behaviour seemed in extremely bad taste and shockingly ungrateful." Sir J. Ward, Bart., said the baronetcy did not cost .£.' 100. Dear me, T had no idea political honours were so cheap. The Prime Minister also slated neither himself nor Sir .1. Findlay (courageous knight, actually going to contest a seat), intended to _ take the High Com.missionership. When that story went the rounds 1 thought it was too good to bo true.—l am,, etc., AGAINST TITLES.