IN THE LOBBY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 985, 3 July 1883, Page 2

IN THE LOBBY.

[from oun PARLIAMENTARY correspondent. ] Wellington, To-day. A writer in the Times to-day says “ Disappointment and confusion prerails among Canterbury and Westland members anent the West Coa-t Railway question. They have sought an alliance with the North and South, but failed to draw other members into a working partnership. Their log-rolling proposals are found one-sided. It was supposed they could join with the supporters of the Otago Central Railway, but Otago members ‘ don’t see it..’ Auckland members have also been sounded, and here again the;conditions are found not to be equal. It is true that outside support is wanted for getting a larger grant out of the present loan for continuing the Otago Central line, it is equally true that members from the far north complain of the small share allotted out of the loan'te continue their through railway to the Bay of Islands, but this clear difference is found to separate the schemes: that whereas the Otago Central and the Auckland Northern extension are provided for in part of the loan, and are thereby pledged to be completed by annual instalments, the contrary is the case with the Canterbury to the West Coa.t railway, which would require a separate loan,! of two millions, and no other railway could get a share out of that amount. ' If, therefore, a log-rolling alliance were made with the North and South, it would have to be on a scale of share and share alike. When these three railway schemes Were lumped in a triple alliance, each, wquld claim two millions, which wouldtnean a new loan of six millions sterling. -The danger would be that such an alliance could control a majority of votes, Bu£‘it is fortunate that the conditions make this dangerous alliance impossible, and the fact is realised that the West Coast railway will have to be treated on its separate merits," I believe that is now the general opinion in the House. * •