THE LANDS PORTFOLIO.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3064, 8 December 1908, Page 5

THE LANDS PORTFOLIO.

To the Editor. Sir,—More than once public expression has been given to the fact that Mr/A. W. Hogg, M.P., would make a splendid Minister of Lands, and that he is one of the most qualified of the late elected to fill that position. No doubt every elector in the Masterton electorate, who has the advancement of the district at heart, would be overjoyed to a Minister of the Crown representing us. There ja no gainsaying the fact that hitherto we have been most wantonly neglected by past Governments, and if Masterton is lucky enough to have Ministerial represent-! ation, we may justly look forward to much better treatment than that which we have had in the past. 1 am one of those of a large minority, who strenuously tried to have Mr Hogg retired from public life for a term, notthrough any personal feeling towards Mr Hogg, but as a protest against the treatment meted out to us by past Governments. However, I with many others, would be more than pleased to have Mr Hogg representing us as Minister of Lands. The Portfolio of Lands is a most important one, and one that requires special qualifications. Whether Mr Hogg enjoys the required qualifications will be a matter for Sir J. G. Ward's careful consideration. There are others who are spoken of as haying an equal chance with Mr Hogg. We have not now a John McKehzie, whose honoured name will ever be dear to us, but we have a Tom Mackenzie, who I venture to s>ay will give all aspirants for the position a hard run. Mr Tom Mackenzie never has been a flippant, surface speaker or actor. He has dug deep under the political surface, and possesses many of the necessary qualifications, anp a certain firmness that is required to fill such an important position. But looking at the appointment from a local and selfish. point, we would much sooner that Sir J. G. Ward would, wisely or otherwise, brush aside all other aspirants, and give us a Minister of Lands. If Sir Joseph knew our neglected wants as we know them, I think he would'not hesitate in granting our wish. Hoping that this matter comes off, as we fondly hope it will.—t am, etc., ELECTOR. Masterton, December 9th, 1908.