The Dunstan Times. Beneath the Rule of Men entirely just the pen is mightier than the sword FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 187.

Dunstan Times, Issue 460, 10 February 1871, Page 2

The Dunstan Times. Beneath the Rule of Men entirely just the pen is mightier than the sword FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 187.

We have heard so much lately of the Government financial scheme from aspirants to legislative houois that we are almost fain to believe that matters of local and domestic interest have quite escaped their attention. The loan, railways, and immigration have absorbed every sptlVr mcasme, and [io 1 iti\inaSionsne mad about the expenditure* of ten of money, which it is questionable, under present circumstances, if we shall be able to - borrow. There may be a plethora of bullion in the Bank of England at the present time, but it is mostly money placed there for safety, and not socking immediate investment;, and, when it is desirable to do so, tty-re \yill be plenty of opportunities of Jay ing it out in good European securities, franco and Prussia will not be always at war, and both countries will bo able to absorb any amoupt of money when

peace is concluded. This is well known to capitalists, and as bodi of those countries will hid high for loans, it may be inferred they will give a higher rate of interest than wo can affb’d. In the ease of New Zealand, wo cannot afford‘to pay a high, rate of interest, as the money must be laid out in reproductive works, or the colony will be involved in ruin. Then the security wo have to olfer will not be considered as first-class, for reasons that, should England become involved in war, the Colonies might throw off their allegiance, and a repudiation of liabilities might possibly follow. Such a thing is quite within the range of proba'dties. It has been done before, and might be again. However we may approve of the financial scheme of the Honorable the Colonial Treasurer, we see little chance of its becoming an accomplisstdd fact* 1 fotreasons already mentioned, lender jiWsent circumstances it that wo should borrow money for 'the construction of public works, and we see no reason why posterity—that is those who are most likely to benefit by it—should not be made to pav. The idea in i is good, but carrying it out in detail will require much judgment. It may be even more easy to borrow money ‘ban to expend it, and, when we come to consider the number of political adventurers who have become our legislators, it is highly necessary to look sharp after the cash-box. It does not follow that because some people have been unsuccessful in laying out their own money, as well as in conducting their own affairs, that tlmy are the better fitted to manage the business of a country. We should take the reverse to be the case. To succeed privately is,the recommendation to lie entrusted with patters pertaining to the public. Our Common roads

are satHjt- oat of repair, and, unless something is done to put them in order before the winter sets in, we shall stand a good chance of becoming like a beleagured city, only in this case supplies will be cut off by rand instead of an aimed enemy. Considering the length of time that the goldfields in this district have been opened, the enormous revenue obtained from them, and the employment they furnish to the people, it is positively disgraceful tbit there is no practicable road at all j seasons between this and Dunedin. Good roads will be found the best means of peopling the country. This is perceptible to everyone, as we find by experience that, whenever a road has been m ule to places hitherto inaccessible, the population has increased largely, while the employment fur niched in making the road has caused a considerable amount of money to be circulated, which money has ultimately been expended in developing our mineral resources. A water supply for the goldfields is another matter that must not be lost sight of, even if we do not obtain the loan. The Dim stan district is particuhffly interested in this, tl\ it presents greater natuw facilities for a success ful water scheme than any other part of Otago. It is quite possible that persons would unde'take to construct water-races if a. certain amount of in - terest were guaranted upon the ex penditure, or th it it was subsidised by grants of land. The bringing of a large stream of water from the Lindis to the valley of the Dunstan would confer an immense benefit upon the Province generally, and both business peopleN»and* nkners would be mutual!yvddvac taged\ The commission of wMli Sir. Haughtou is the head we have very little faith in, and we know that he has promised his Arrow constituents a large share of the 300,000/. (if obtained) to construct an almost impossible work at the Twelve-mile, and which, if completed, would not benefit a dozen people. The Commission should have consisted cf disinterested persons with some amount of scientific knowledge about them, and not of advocates for political honors, who are only expending the public money to forward their own elections and the elections of their friends. The matter is too serious to be be trifled with." Any - steps taken to sceure a water supply must bo of a bona-fide nature, and not a mere sham or a i means to . secure an ulterior end. *

, ■ The two 'can idatesfor the Superinten dency, Messrs. Reid and Macandrew. have addressed the electors in various parts of the Dunstan district. Their spoeehes.were i not remarkable oratorical displays, I knd I neither of .them, told the anything I now. . ■ • mm \ i : A Chinaman, fossicking at the. Nevis,, lately obtained six ounces of the precious* metal in one day.

TELEGR 1 PHI C D ESPATC HE3. F«OW OUR OWN CORRESPONnENT. Dunedin, Feb 0. The elections for Auckland resulted in the return of Mr. Williams, the ministerial candidate. Mr. Gillies was the Opposition candidate. Parkin, the Ministerial candidate was elected for Glad tone. The libel ease against Dick will be heard to-morrow. Brariigan is affected with lunacy, and is confined in the Auckland Asylum.