CLOSER SETTLEMENT

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10222, 25 April 1911, Page 5

CLOSER SETTLEMENT

[.To The Editor.} Sir,—lt is gratifying to obsci" r. that two of the old Councillors seeking reelection intend to push on :ha question of closer settlement. Although the Masterton district has been pitifully agitated on this matter !V years past, not the slightest tangible result lias accrued. It is to the credit of Mr Ewington in particular that as an individual lie has been the most consistent and energetic advocate of closer settlement we have had in Masterton, and if other citizens had thrown the same interest into the matter probably greater success would havo been achieved. It is a matter too, that in my opinion closely concerns the Harbour Board election, and if Mr Exvington is returned to a seat on that important body, it is to be hoped that he will take steps to interest the people of Wellington in the movement. Why, Wellington should be more eager to see our back-country settled than we ourselves are. Not being a considerable manufacturing centre (and while the labour laws remain as they are not likely to advance much further industrially) the capital city's immediate future prosperity depends on a thriving import and export trade, and a populous back country is necessary to sustain this. The Harbour Board having the control of this great business, it behoves its members to aim for closer settlement in every possible way and by every possible means. Every year's delay makes the object less accomplishable, so let us hope Councillors Ewington and Morris will carry through something tangible. —I am, etc., G. H. CULLEN.