An Isolated Place.
In the beginning of May we published the reply of the Hon. the Defence Minister to those who were desirous of forming a volunteer corps in this town. It was therein distinctly stated that the Minister had decided not to recommend tha Governor to establish fresh corps in isolated places. We commented then on the want of knowledge exhibited by the Minister of the geography of the North Island. Circumstances alter cases, and most markedly. The Defence Minister, is the Hon. E. Seddon, who is also the representative in Parliament for Westland. With his unfortunate want of knowledge he was led to style Foxton, a borough with 1250 inhabitants, a seaport, and connected by rail with Wellington, New Plymouth, and Napier, an isolated place. Curiously the last Gazette announces that His Excellency the Governor, (undoubtedly by the recommendation of the Defence Minister) has been pleased to accept the services of the Totara (Westland) Rifle Volunteers ! The member for Westland probably knows where Totara is, also its size, and the accesibility of the location. To prevent any misunderstanding, the place is particularly mentioned as being in Westland, otherwise there would be trouble to find it. It is not a borough, and it cannot be a very large place, as in the Grey district there is only a school called Totara Flat, which has an average attendance of thirty six pupils. Can this be headquarters of the last new company of volunteers? The Totara Flat volunteers have secured the acceptance of their services owing to their representative being Defence Minister. What a farce, the refusal to accept the .services of the proposed corps for Foxton, is proved to be. We should much like to learn what extraordinary excuse will be framed by the Minister for the ex* traordinary snubbing of a political opponent's constituents and the favvouritism shown to his own. We trust our member, Mr J. G. Wilson will ask a question upon these facts in his place in the House.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MH18910623.2.10
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Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 23 June 1891, Page 2
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333An Isolated Place. Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 23 June 1891, Page 2
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