The Patea Mail. Established 1875. FRIDAY, MAY 25, 1883. TUESDAY’S MEETING.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1039, 25 May 1883, Page 2

The Patea Mail. Established 1875. FRIDAY, MAY 25, 1883. TUESDAY’S MEETING.

Three . thingswere noticeable at the public meeting on Tuesday. They were the moderate tone of the speeches, Ule evident unpopularity of the member for .the district, and the absence of country folk. With regard to the latter a reason was advanced why they ought to have been present, and ah© one explaining to some extent their absence. The first was that the subject

of the Railway was one in which they were vitally interested, and that as a large number of settlers were in town attending the Horse Fair that day, little excuse could be given for not coming to the meeting. We think this was just the very reason why they did not attend* The settlers had had a long day, first driving in stock, and then standing about the yards in the midst of rain and mud. No wonder that they felt tired and anxious to get back to their homes. Besides, the stock had to be taken away, and there was work enough in that to cause forgetfulness even of a creditors’ meeting, which is generally about the most attractive gathering held now-a-days. • Hence we think our country friends may be well excused for their absence on Tuesday.; :A possible reason why settlers did not come was mentioned by Mr Hudson. “He fel t persuaded,” he: said, “ that settlers in this district wore just that disgusted, so to speak, with the government and the . officials, that; they,. thought?, whatever they might say or do would be almost useless.” As he quaintly put it, “ Settlers had come to the conclusion that whatever the Government think they will do, they do, and if they think they won’t, they don’t,” That’s : just it. And in our case they generally “ think : they won’t.” Why do they : think so ? Because they don’t care a fig Tor our opinions. -i They see that we are i(isolated from onr 'neighbours,' and so. long.as they can keep the support of the northern part of the electorate Patea can “rip.” Can we alter this, and make Government “think they will.” We think so. And how ? By pulling heartily with Hawera and its district :hr matters affecting' their welfare; by recognising that we are bound np in the prosperity of the Plains; by offering assistance in public matters without being; asked, on the principle that their welfare is ours ; and by letting by-gones ho by-gones. If some such course as this;were adopted towards the northern towns it would not be long before- a generous feeling of reciprocal friendship would arise, and to slight or neglect one portion of the district would ,be to incur resentment from the whole. That is the state of things ]we ; should; like to see existing between the counties of Hawera and_CPkt.e.a,-.and.we. believe that a little tact on onr part would bring it about;' lb might be a matter of some time, but perseverance would overcome all obstacles, said obstacles being more imaginary than real. We should then hear no more about settlers thinking it useless to agitate. They would,know, thattheycould rely on assistance from elsewhere in the hour of need, and would fully understand the meaning of “ Unity is strength.” It Would he astonishing how often Government, when applied to, would “ think they will.”’ We consider that a step in the direction we have, sketched out was taken' by; passing the resolutions proposed by Mr Williams and Mr Adams, The first was to the effect that the line between Hawera and-Manawapon should be made while the latter- contract was going on. The meeting took the advice of the Mayor, and did not look at it from a‘storekeeping point of view. It was: recognised that the line should be commenced at Hawera, in the general good, and that Patea is anxious to further the completion of the railway, Hawera being welcome to the benefits arising from . the , expenditure. Mr Adams’ motion -that Hawera. should appoint a committee to act with Patea and watch over Their joint interests as regards the route of the trunk line was also a wise,one. It will serve to, show at any rate that we look upon both interests as identical, and that wo should assist each other in guarding them. We are in hopes that the -outcome will be a better state of feeling between the two towns than has yet; existed. \ Wei had intended to; devote a small space to “ onr member,” but, as the date of. his address is so now close, we think it is scarcely necessary. Supporters, and those who have “ lost faith,” will both have an opportunity of questioning the Major upon bis delinquencies, and, judging from the indictments set;forth in Mr, Sherwood’s speech, he will have a lively time; of it. We fail to see, however,. why Major Atkinson should have selected New. Plymouth as the first place to he addressed. - His constituents do not reside there, and we presume the Major is coming to the Coast to. address them. If he : wanted to speak to the Colony and give an outline of the intended policy of the Government this sesssion, then we say that he could have spoken as well in Wellington. Perhaps the hon. gentleman thinks that when he gets among his constituents he will have so many local topics to talk about, that ho had better fire off the big gun first while he has the opportunity. However, why New Plymouth should have been chosen is a mystery. The Major’s coming is awaited with interest in Patea. ■ ■