The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, AUGUST 30 1883. UNION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1470, 30 August 1883, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, AUGUST 30 1883. UNION.

' + Mr. R. S. Hawkins lias announced that he is taking steps to organize a settlers' association in this district on a broad and fair basis, and we welcome from him, or any other public man, a project which has for its object union j amongst settlers. We have in our columns, on every occasion, advocated union. We strove to obtain one united Wairarapa and we still look forward to some day seeing the two present counties amalgamated. We have frequently urged upon our readers the importance of united Action between town and country in this district, and though such a suggestion has never been received with much favor, we have also written in favor of union between the townships of the district. A settlers' association, such as the one we understand Mr Hawkins to propose, may be made a powerful help towards uniting the Wairarapa, towards joining central and outlying districts in working with each other for the- benefit of tho community, We trust to see settlers take up this proposed association, and make it a power in the district. The population of the Wairarapa district is not so numerous that it can afford to be divided and sub-divided into parties and cliques. Its strength requires to be concentrated for the advancement of its own interests and those of the colony. We believe that this new association, though it will consist mainly of country settlers, will be open to Masterton residents who may take an interest in its promotion. It is very desirable to cultivate united action between town and country, and to get settlers in the centres of population to perceive that their interests are identical with those of their neighbors in the outlying districts. It is, for example, as much to the interest of Masterton to have a good road to Tenui as it is to the interest of the Wharoama to have a 1 good road to Masterton. Why should the construction of such a work be relegated to upcountry settlers and Masterton settlers regard it as none of their business ? We believe that there are many town settlers who, if they cannot give material help, will yd accord hearty I sympathy with every effort that maybe rondo to open up outlying districts, l and such men will be useful members of the association. Of course it is as yet, premature to guago the scope and'

aims of this new organisation which is about to be constituted, but it is not jircinntnve to say that if fairly launched it must do good by establishing a community of interests among settlers of .ill classes, ami by training them to 'ake broad and liberal views on all questions affecting them.