The Press. Wednesday, February 20, 1918. The Midland Railway.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16141, 20 February 1918, Page 6

The Press. Wednesday, February 20, 1918. The Midland Railway.

WVhope that there will be a large at-

tendance at to-night's meeting of tho

6j committee set up last week to take g-* charge of the campaign for the early » completion of tho Midland Railway. | Once the agitation has gained momen--11 turn. it will to a great extent run itself; I the thing, obviously, is to put energy j and diligence into the initial proceedings. * Outside Canterbury and Westland there are as yet few signs of an understanding that the people of theee parts are in earnest in their intention to force the Government to take the action required by the necessities of the case. In Auckland, of course, what has so far been done has been noted, and the Auckland people are on the alert to opposo anything which may seem, to threaten the precedence which Auckland claims Eor .even the least of its "wishes. In Ponedin the Canterbury agitation has attracted some attention; we quoted pa Monday the substance of an edi-

torial in Trhich tho iDunedin "Star'' expresses its cordial sympathy with the movement. Wc are grateful for this recognition, by a leading organ of opinion in another province, of the national importance of tho Otira tunnel; and wo welcome particularly the "Star's" endemnation of the present abominable rystem of public works expenditure, for our own experience of many years in advocating a reformed system, under which tho development of the country would proceed on sound lines, has shown us that without many allies our advocacy, and that of those who share our viows, will break helplessly against tho walls of political interest built up by decado.s of a bad policy. Ono of the first duties of the Committee at its meeting to-night is to strengthen its hand by calling a public meeting, for this is a matter that afloots tho interests, of all the people of this province. No further time should be lost, moreovor, in sending a deputation to wait upon the Prime Minister and his colleagues. The need for energy and expedition in prosecuting tho campaign is. of course, much increased by the alteration of the sessional arrangements. Parliament is expected to rosurao in less than eight weeks from to-day, and when it docs resume, it will not sit very long nor do very much business beyond making provision for paying tho Governments bills during the ensuing recess. Tho case, for the early completion of the East-and-Wesb connexion ought to ho placed fully before tho Government as long as possible before the House meets, and some definite statement of policy insisted upon. Unless some kind of understanding is arrived at with the Government before our representatives leave for I/ondon, tho whole business will be in the air until towards the end of the year, and tha preliminary work that has so far bosn done will go for nothing. AYe hope that we shall bo ablo to record to-morrow that further definite and vigorous action has been arranged.