MR MASTERS’S PLEDGES.

Kumara Times, Issue 946, 11 October 1879, Page 4

MR MASTERS’S PLEDGES.

[to the editor.] Sir, —A few of Mr Masters’s opponents in the late election have attempted to raise a feeling of indignation against him by assertihg that he has broken his hustings pledges. I take this opportunity (in his absence) of refuting that charge, and, for the satisfaction of any of his constituents in the Grey Valley who have any doubt on upon the subject, I will, with your consent, refer to the different speeches made by Mr Masters during his electioneering tour. We will begin with his meeting at Brunnerton (reported Grey River Argds, August 27), where he said, “I go in, if returned, an independent member. Next, in reporting his nomination speech at Greymouth, the Grey River Argos has the following He (Mr Masters) told the electors he was thoroughly independent —his time was his own j that he would not pledge himself to support any particular Ministry, but would support the one which would do the most good for the district. Re was in favor of the Liberal programme, but would not bind himself to support the Grey Government.” Then, in referring to the No Town meeting, the Argus of August 30 says His (Mr Masters’s) announcement that he would go to the House, if elected, an independent man, was warmly cheered.” In his next appearance at Reefton we find him saying, as reported in the Herald of the 4th ultimo—That “he declined to pledge himself as the supporter of any party in the House, but would leave himself, in the event of return, an independent member, prepared to support any Government that he believed would best give effect to the views which he entertained, and upon which he claimed the support of the electors.” Next, and lastly, take his words at the Volunteer Hall, “ I will not pledge myself to support any particular man or body.” Referring to his printed address, in which the following words occur—“ I shall support the Grey Ministry so long as 1 have reason to think it is their intention honestly to carry out the principal public works promised by them,” &c.—l will ask whether subsequent events do not entirely release Mr Masters from anything like the semblance of a pledge to the Grey adminiatraticn ; and in support of this view I will quote the words of the Grey River Argus, August 26, when criticising the Governor’s speech. They are as follows . —“ The most important matter, so far as the West Coast is concerned, is the proposal to shelve the making of the East and West Coast Railway, as referring it to a select committee is almost tantamount to shelving it, and in this the hand of the Minister of Public Works is apparent. Referring it to a select committee means delay, and the opportunity for proceeding with the work will be lost, and this is all that Mr Macandrew requires.” That these, your views, were shared by our Hokitika neighbors, may be proved by the following quotation from the West Coast Times of September 30 :—“ It is probable that his Worship the Mayor will call a public meeting of the citizens shortly to protest against the action of Mr Macandrew in endeavoring to shelve the East and West Coast Railway by referring the question to a select committee of the House,” In the face of such strong public feeling, and the well known antagonism of Mr Macandrew to the interests of the West Coast, I ask, how could Mr Masters, as our representative, have taken any other course than the one which he has adopted. I am, &c., Justice.