THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1869.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2070, 23 December 1869, Page 2

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1869.

The phalanx of the Minister for Land and Works was last evening immoveable on every point of difference between his Honor and his Executive, and the majority of one did its work. It is only a small condemnation, that majority of one. It cannot he said that his Honor wall feel very seriously the personal reproof administered to him, because, although the Ministry in the House may have

had the power to command support, the question at issue will have ultimately to be decided by another tribunal—that of public opinion. As for the Railway debates, it cannot be said that anything was elicited ; but what was already known was confirmed. One thing, however, is clear, that Mi* Reid seems in earnest in his desire for the construction of both lines of Railway. The Opposition contented themselves with giving their explanations. Their version did not materially differ from that of the Executive ; and the real question at issue now is, whether the course taken by the Ministry can be justified on the ground of social or commercial honor and morality. We did not hear one single word uttered that could by any fair logical inference lead to the conclusion, that the proposed companies for the CJlutha line and the Port Chalmers line wore actuated by any other than a bona fide desire to have them constructed. It is a very common notion that Governments are fair game, and that every one has a right to pluck them in every possible way. Perhaps it js as on this account that the showed a diplomatic front. They seem to have entertained the idea that, because the undertaking was a large one, it was impossible that the objects of the promoters of the companies could be other than personal gain, and therefore the}' looked upon every proposition as a blind to cover some sinister motive. Instead, therefore, of meeting them in an earnest, straightforward, businesslike spirit, they treated them as if they were sharpers, and twisted and turned, and took every possible technical and legal advantage, until disgusted at being so played and dawdled with, they grew cold, and allowed matters to take their own course. The Government acknowledge that Messrs Driver, Turnbull, and five others came forward at a moment that seemed very like a crisis in the affairs of the Province to rescue it from a difficult position. It does not appear that these gentlemen asked for any fax or or consideration for the heavy engagements they proposed to enter into. Although the retiring Treasurer intimated that the proposed agreement was a one-sided one, nothing more was alleged against it than the

suspicion engendered in that honorable member’s brain ; and, as the Provincial Solicitor said, it was, as far as he could judge, equally fair for both parties. But it was just because the legal adviser to the Government was also legal adviser to the proposed railway company that the Treasurer’s vigilance was aroused. It does not seem to have struck him that it would have been cheaper to have submitted the jn’oposed contract to the supervision of another legal head, than to have steamed away to Wellington under the idea that he was able to do what the fifteen members of Otago were there to do. We suppose before these lines are in print he will be on his way to England ; so on the principle of not condemning a man who is absent, we must not say more than that he seems to have been suspicious to a fault. His prudence was infectious, and the consequence has been that the railway companies were thrown over, and the opportunity lost of immediately beginning works so much needed. We quite share in the feeling that Mr Ruid should be retained in office. We do not believe a single member of the Opposition even wished him to be outvoted on any question that was made a Government question. To carry on the work of Government where! parties are so equally divided is no very enviable task ; but it would hare been much better for the reputation of the Executive and the Province had there been more open and straightforward dealing on railway matters. It is not fair to tamper with gentlemen who come forward in an emergency as if they wore sharpers. It would have been easy to have limited the expense to which they were to go; and not until it was plain that they designed to take advantage of the position of the Government to the disadvantage of the Country, should they have been treated as it pleased the Government to treat them. We trust the Port Chalmers Railway will be carried out, as according to the Government’s own admission they have the opportunity of getting it done on their own terms. We fear the Clutha Railway will prove to the country the old truth that—“ A “ bird in the hand is worth two in the “ bush.”