THE STRATFORD SEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1922, Page 5

THE STRATFORD SEAT.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—So the choice of contesting the Stratford seat in the Reform interests has fallen to Mr. Hine. I am a Reformer and desirous of winning the seat back for the Reform Party, but cannot see logic in the decision arrived at by the delegates in selecting Mr. Hine. In the first place the public will make a comparison of the work done by Mr. Hine and that of Mr. Masters, and will be compelled to admit, irrespective of their politics, that the latter has proved himself much more alive to the requirements of the district than the - former. Mr. Hine lest his only opportunity last election. He held the high position of Minister of the Crown, had eleven years’ experience in his favor, his party was in power, and he also had a large sympathy vote on account of his war Services, and yet he was unable to hold the seat. In view of this, how can he hope to regain it. Where does the logic come in in selecting him? Why. he could not even win a seat on the Stratford dairy directorate a. week or so ago! There can b.e no doubt we Reformers have been let down by a circle of Mr. Hine’s friends. Sent’ment does not cut much ice in politics, and in this case gives Mr. Masters at least six years more in Parliament, whereas had the Reform Party selected a young, vigorous man of the right stamp he certainly would not have won this election, but very possibly the next. Liberalism is dead, and if Reform do not look out for young men to carry on their banner, then it, too, will have to take the count. This hole-in-corner method of selecting a candidate seems peculiar to Taranaki, and when one considers that of 40 delegates present. eighteen were from the town of Stratford, six from Ngaere, the remainder, we must presume, represented the rest of the electorate. It is a sorfy business, and I trust not too late to mend.—l am, etc. ,

A YOUNG REFORMER. Inglewood, August 18.