The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1887. THE PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1736, 15 December 1887, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1887. THE PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

We must congratulate the Hon Mr Mr Mitchelson on his Public Works Statement, a telegraphic precis of which appeared m our issue of Tuesday. It is a straightforward business-like utterance, without any attempt to import " flowers of rhetoric," or any other foreign elements. It deals particularly with the great question of the present time — what are we to do m regard to PuMic Works? There is no beating about the busb, nor any attempt to make the worse appear the better reason. It gives the unexpended balances for different works already - sanctioned by the House, and'thepro- , posed amounts allocated for public works, extending over a period of thtce years, This shows most unmistakeably Major Atkinson's Government calculate upon a tenure of office for that period. We do not for a moment wish to question the correctness of that calculation. The Major has played his cards remarkably well — a great deal better than the Stout- Vogel coalition ever did. By exacting from his quasi supporters a pledge that they would not oppose him until his policy was fully before the House, and then delaying the unfolding of that policy until the members were really wearied out, with sixteen and eighteen hours' work a day, he has managed so far to have his own way, and by the forcing of the Representation Bill through the House, he ( has strengthened his position until it is absolutely unassailable. Under such circumstances we have very great pleasure m complimenting the Minister of Public Works on his statement delivered on Monday evening.