THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1909. A VERY PLAIN STATEMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9583, 1 September 1909, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1909. A VERY PLAIN STATEMENT.

When Mr J. C. Cooper, Chairman of Directors ofsthe Wellington Farmers' Co-operative Meat Company, informed a representative of this journal on Monday last that in the matter of site Masterton had a strong rival in Woodside, he sounded a nole of warning which should not only impress the residents of this town, but should stir up every leading person in the community to do his utmost to strengthen Masterton's claim. Never before in the history of Masterton has there bsen such an opportunity to advance its progress; and certainly never again, so far as the present population is concerned, will such a chance occur. There is not that intense degree of interest manifest in the community over this question that we should like t) see. We cannot believe that our citizens (professional men, business . people, pioperty owners, and everyone in fact, who has any stake in, or anyone who has any interest in, the welfare of the town), are indifferent as to where the works referred to may be situated. We believe that it is organisation that is really required. Orgaui-ation would develop enthusiasm; organisation would produce eniight •> ment in many quarters; organisation would achieve success! A vigorous effort, the moat strenuous that a town uni ted in]a common interest can possibly make, is necessary. Mr Cooper'a. statement was very plain. Masterton has not only a rival in the Woodside site, but an effort will be made in the southern end of the Valley to secure shares conditional upon the Woodside site being selected. We know, as a matter of fact, that if the residents of Masterton subscribe £5,000 or more upon the conditions, which we have mentioned in previous issues recently, that the works will be at Waingavva. There is apparently little difference between the suitability of the Waingawa and Woodsite sites, while the former has the advantage from one aspect of view, at any rate, that it is a more strategical position should an existing Wellington Meat Company decide to establish works in tko Wairarapa. In another column ot this issue a correspondent suggests that the Mayor should call a public meeting to consider the question from the point of view of this town. There could certainly be no exception taken were the Mayor to accept the Bug- j i

gestion, for the welfare of Master" ton is greatly bound up in this site question, and his Worship is "the first citizen.'' We believe that there are very many residents, who would be prepared to take up shares, so as to assist the end in view, and in order that none may be missed a most thorough and systematic canvass of the whole community should be made. We do not think that there is any town in the Dominion, placed in similar circumstances, that would not "rise as one man" to the emergency of the occasion, and we are confident that Masterton is capable of making such an effort if only the necessary lead be forthcoming.