THE MASTERTON SEAT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10167, 17 February 1911, Page 5

THE MASTERTON SEAT.

, s MR J. C. COOLER ASEED'TO. CONTEST IT. - IN THE GOVERNMENT INTEREST. An interesting development has occurred in connection witn the political situation so far as the Mastertj&n- seat is concerned. Mr J. C. Cooper, very well known, sin the Masterton and Pahiatua electorates as a former candidate for Parliamentary honours, was approached in Masterton .yesterday by a ; number of prominent t- Government* Supporters 'and requested to contest ithe Masterton seat. at. the next general election. Mr Cooper was presented with a requisition in the : following terms:— • "oir, — It is the strong desire of many Masterton supporters of the Government that you offer yourself as a Government candidate for the Masterton. seat at the coming general election. .It is fully realised by those possessing" this desire that the step you are asked to take is a momentous one, and, -calls- tfor serious from youi-selfv The fact had been fully considered that you have previously, taken a stand J in politics not in sympathy with the .Government on certain vital teres. It is thought, however, that the.important and most recent'modifications by the present Government of its land policy—modifications inclining strongly towards the views advocated by yourself— have sufficiently removed a/iy .obstacle's to your entering* the field as a supporter of the Government on broad policy questions. ■■•■ What, however, M -is thought, should be most emphatically urged upon you is' that: in t y<ju have been.an earnest-and consistent advocate.of many 'liberal■ and•democratic ideas, and particularly, as regards "that most vital matter, the closer settlement of our district.;, ■ Whatever may be the views of per--1 sons who may, through mere superficial reflection, not agree with your faking, .the .fi«te;^herem. asked of. you, it cannot be too .strongly:' urged':upon, you that there is' a very strong desire in Masterton among Government supporters themselves that you should .#Pf % Wgh- greatly with yonj r and, should silence any comments -suggesting that' you have " without' cause mad© defecThe industry, ability, and enthusiasm displayed by you in connection with the establishment of the Waingawa freezing works has shown ,the. people of this wide district that you are'a man of deeds, not mere word?) and it is the universal opin-, ion that if these same qualities could only be* exercised in.;. the.' cause! of railway, progress and closer ' settlement in this great district it would be a very short time before Masterton and ( neighbouring townships would 1 be large and .prosperous centres. The feeling is, strong that as' you are-now permanently resident in Masterton, and the electorate is apparently without an accredited Government candidate at present, while those persons wlio "should have been quick to recognise your meritorious achievement's, have so far failed to do so, it Is desirable that a strong man- such as yourself should step into the breach 1 . If this request calls for any sacrifice of a sentimental nature on your part, it is earnestly hoped that you will not hesitate to make this sacrifice .when tangible good to the -community at large should certainly result, in ithe event of your success. The present unfortunate political position in Masterton cannot cbn^hiue,. if the district is' to advance, and it is surely .hard if the Governmerat is to be denied its dues from an electorate hitherto consistently loyal merely because a suitable candidate is not I foi-thcoming. The practical good you could achieve as a live Government member -cannot be over-estimated, and rthe company you have established so -successfully should reap ample reward for any sacrifice of your services it may sxift'er. In conclusion, it is respectfully asked that you,, make as early a reply as possible and you may rest assured that if you fearlessly respond to this earnest call to action, you will without doubt receive a solid support from every section of the commtinity that places energy and -sincerity of purpose before questions .of political colour." Mr Cooper, after hearing the re r , quisition and, discussing matters at some ■ length with the deputation, 'said he felt that he would need to .give the matter very careful thought. _He promised, however, to weigh the pros and cons fully and to give the deputation an answer at an early date.