The Evening Star. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1871.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2689, 29 September 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1871.

The Opposition has succeeded in their first move; they have forced the Minister of Public Works to an early exposition of the public works scheme. We do not think that this is to be regretted by the Government; for, judged of by the principles laid down, their plans seem as statesmanlike as they

are comprehensive. It is impossible for anyone unacquainted with the details to offer an opinion as to the desirability or otherwise of entering upon all the works proposed. There is, however, a wide difference discernible in the mode of proceedure between that of the General Government and that which has generally marked the proceedings of Provincial Governments, to whom, hitherto, the carrying out

of public works has been entrusted. The recess has been made a time of preparation and enquiry. The Government do not come forward with a crude, ill-digested measure, the creation of some mere theorist. They seem to have arrived at the conclusion that certain works are necessary for the advancement and development of the country; that in order to carry them out certain executive machinery is required, and that it is advisable to place this machinery out of reach of Parliamentary faction; so that when once the Assembly has sanctioned a specific

railway, no matter who is in power, it may be continued and carried through successfully. As far as human foresight can go, this is the only safeguard that can be adopted by representative Governments. It has been neglected in America, and forms the chief source of political corruption there. A change of President means a re-election of all officers connected with the Government : there is consequently no security for stability of purpose: the whole population is in a ferment at an election, and groat companies sway and influence the Government of that vast

country, as suits their purpose. Ami herein is another beneficial alteration in the plans of the present Executive. It is found in all countries that those who hold the land are the governors. It was so in feudal times, it is so in Europe now—it is so in democratic America. The railway construction system there has thrown immense tracts of land into the hands of particular companies, for many of them have agreed to form lines on land payments. At first sight this seems an easy mode of railroad formation. It involves no borrowing by the government, no prospective taxation. The companies advance the money, form out! wnfh the lines, and reallv. not only

cUiU WUlfi. lUC imc/Oj auu '-'“ V incur no risk, but reap immense profits, either as territorial landlords or through sale of the land. Populations follow those long lines of railway, and their interests are bound up in those of the railway companies. During the past few years, two or more of these companies by combining, have been able almost to dictate to the American Government what shall be done, just as certain Lords in old time used to command the Councils of our English Kings. Most probably the Executive had this in view when they proposed that all payments shall be made in money rather than land. Experience is a good teacher where men are willing to learn. There is another point which marks a vast advance on previous practice with regard to railways. The Government have adopted the dommon-sense view that railroads are but the highest class and most improved roads; and that while main lines should be formed at Provincial expence, it must be left to districts to pay for their own special improvements in communication. We have always pointed out that the system found effective with common roads was one that should be followed in railroad construction. There can be no fairer plan than that proposed of making or supporting feeders by local rating, it gives districts the power to help themselves without taxing others for their own special interests. Throughout the whole of the Government scheme the idea runs that though the Government is prepared to do that which is for the common good, those who reap special benefit must pay for it. It is good for the Province as a whole to have a line of railway connecting Dunedin with the Waitaki or the Clutha ; but it is a special advantage to township A or B to have a branch connecting it with that line, A or B, therefore, must either tax themselves for constructing and working such a feeder, or be left, like some inacessible district,' behind the rest of the world in wealth and civilisation. We are glad to see also that a Bill is to be introduced to counteract that grasping selfishness that lias hitherto marked the conduct of not a few landowners through whose property lines of railway must pass. There are comparatively few cases in which property is injured by railway construction, and in those cases, as a rule, ample compensation is offered. An amusing chapter could be written on the extraxagant claims made, compared with the amounts awarded, by arbitrators, on the Port Chalmers line. Perhaps in some genial mood, at a soiree, the Provincial Solicitor will toll a few anecdotes that have come within his philanthropic experience in that line. Mr Calcutt, too, were he so minded or thought it prudent, could tell a thing or two. It is time that some sort of equity towards society

should be observed by lucky individuals who have an opportunity of making handsome profits through accidental purchases of land, who at the time never contemplated having opportunity of selling it in their lifetime to any very great advantage. Many of them came out with less than the prospect of a cottage, a pig in a stye, and cows on the natural grasses, and ask fifty times as much for a strip of land wide enough to make a railway as their whole petty possession has cost.