The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2454, 28 December 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1870.

Mb Reid complains that his course of action in reference to public works has been so frequently characterised as obstructive in the Evening &far, that people begin to believe it. We trust they do. If they do not, they must be easily blinded. Mr Reid must not for one moment suppose in what we write we are actuated by personal feelings. Our objection to the course he has adopted is to the measures, not to himself. It is perhaps to be regretted that it is impossible to condemn erratic measures without identifying their originator with them ; but as certainly as we now condemn his mistaken course, should we give him our aid in carrying out any plans tending to bring prosperity to the Province. The most specious of Mr Reid’s lame excuses for unduly deferring public works, is that the plan proposed by the General Government is unfair to the Middle Island. We will not cavil with him on that point; for we think so too. But agreeing with him as to the fact of more being asked for the North Island than it is entitled to, in proportion to the revenue contributed by each island, we cannot but condemn the flagrant misrepresentation of which he has been guilty. If it was a mistake, he is bound in honor to correct it. If it was designed, and he does not retract it, he must expect the usual fate of men who stoop to unworthy means to gain their ends. Confidence in him will be lost. Mr Reid’s error—for we had rather look upon it in that light—was in the statement that the Government had made provision for the construction of 395 miles of railway in the North Island, and only 185 miles in the Middle Island. But there is no such provision. The only line of railway in the North for the construction of which provision is made, is from Auckland to Tuakau, with a branch to Onehunga, and that, according to the Act, must be made on guarantee; while for the Middle Island a special clause is inserted authorising the Governor to construct the Clutha line either by guarantee or out of the Middle Island Railway Fund, and the same with the Canterbury Railways. The only provision made for the other railways in the North is for survey of lines to be hereafter recommended. But even if Mr Reid had stated the case correctly, he took a very droll method to remedy the evil. We should •really like to know whether he actually considers the electors such babies as to sanction the way the Provincial Council took to obtain justice. We have occasionally heard of partners differing about a division of property, and of one endeavoring to fleece the other. We have heard of one saying, “ I will have what is my right, if I “ spend my share in obtaining it,” But that is a very different thing from saying, “ If I cannot have what is “ right, I will have nothing.” Perhaps Mr Reid may reply, and say his resolution in the Council did not go to that extent. Then what on earth did it mean'? The case stands thus: — The Middle Island is entitled to more than the financial scheme of the Government proposes to give. The Government proposes to expend immediately what the Act provides for Otago. But since we cannot get what we ought to have, we will not take what we can get. This is just the simple proposition laid down by Mr Reid and those who voted with him in the Council. The folly of taking such a position is that we damage nobody but ourselves. The people of Canterbury are not so blind to their own interests. They know better than to refuse a benefit because it comes in a shape less agreeable than some of them choose. What sort of a figure would a creditor cut in a bankrupt’s estate were he to say, “ I am “ honestly entitled to twenty shillings “ i n the pound, and the dividend “ offered is only twelve and sixpence : “ unless I can have my full amount I “ will not have a farthing.” We can fancy the chairman of the meeting very politely thanking that gentleman for his decision, and when his back was turned, saying to the rest, “ I hope, « gentlemen, Mr A. will stick to his “ determination. It will be eighteen “ pence in the pound added to our “ dividend.” The only failure in the parallel is that New Zealand is not bankrupt, although Otago is a large claimant. In every other respect the analogy is perfect. It cannot be too strongly impressed upon the mind of every elector, that whatever hjs fypipjon may be, however lie may vote, it is too late to alter the plan now. He may rest assured that the whole of New Zealand, outside of Otago, will be only too glad if this Province refuses to take advantage of this offer ; for the less we take, the more there is Tor them. We do not think it necessary to argue with the shadow that Mr Reid tries to throw over the affair, when he points to the injustice done under the Loan

Allocation Act. Those who fear the wind will not sow, nor will those reap who are deterred by dark clouds. It may be a warning for the future ; but it only points the more strongly to securing advantage to ourselves while we have the chance. Mr Reid’s reasoning, stripped of all details, stands thus ; Under the loan Allocation Act great injustice was done to Otago : Under the Bail ways and Immigration scheme, some future Parliament may lix the whole burden upon the Middle Island : Therefore let all the work be done for the North. Although Mr Reid did vote against that robbery—for it was neither more nor less—he must recollect he supported the Government that perpetrated it in most of their measures ; and were he to be returned to the General Assembly, there is every reason to think he would do the same again. It is not long since that we pointed out that he was supporting the very principle that lies at the root of the evil of our connection with the North Island, when he advocated the defence of the North being a Colonial charge. We cannot imagine a greater degree of inconsistency than he has been guilty of. He supported the Stafford Ministry in their extravagance and mismanagement; he condemned the action taken by the Provincial Government in regard to the delegated powers ; and now he comes forward as a Provincialist in word, but a Centralist in spirit, lie can complain when he fancies public works are not made a Provincial charge, but cannot see that with equal—nay, absolutely more justice, internal defence should be a local charge too.