The Evening Star TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1873.

Evening Star, Issue 3335, 28 October 1873, Page 2

The Evening Star TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1873.

A FEW evenings ago we gave an account of the Honorable Mr Miller’s inspiration, through which lie was led to propose to relieve the Colony from its imaginary difficulties, by permitting Otago and Canterbury to make their own railways—main lines and branches. We do not think that many in Otago will be found to advocate such a proposition, although some very patriotic individual may perceive advantages in it: as many in Otago have always hitherto done in allowing the revenues collected in the Province to be spent for the special behoof of the North Island. There are those—-amongst whom we shall be classed—who consider that the real object was concealed, and that it was a clumsy proposal, intended if possible to ward off the very distant prospect of landed proprietors being taxed for interest of money for the construction of branch railways —in our opinion a very proper and equitable mode of dealing with the matter, should a line be made in a district where the traffic would not pay the interest. It would be plain and self-evident, in such an event, that it had been made in the interest of the landowners, and not of the public. As, therefore, the class to which Mr Miller belongs was interested, it may be imagined that some indications of their idiosyncracy would peep out during the debate ; and this happened accordingly. The Honorable Colonel Kenny was the first to give vent to bis suspicions and feelings. He did not agree in the idea that the proposition was a practical one. Like an old fox, the very tempting bait induced him. to dodge round and try to look behind. At the first squint he thought it looked as if a u sinister purpose ” was to be served by the proposal. But his steelfast vision was fixed on a different object. He “looked forward to the time when the House would probably have to deal with the rjiucstiop in a much larger way; and, w said he, l - why should tire Council affirm that tiro lands should be disposed of in that way when, byc-and-bye, the question will have to be entertained in another aspect ? But let Jlansard give the hon. Colonel’s views as to the disposal of the Provincial estates of Canterbury and Otago. Wo have no doubt he expresses the ideas of his order, and it is necessary they should be known, that the Colony may form a correct estimate of the political characters of those whose obstructive action is tending to interfere with the progress of the Colony, and to build up a eiasa at the expense of the rest of the population

I look forward to the time when we shall i probably have to dsa). with that question in a 1 much larger way ; and why the Council affirm that the lauds should he disposed of in this way when, byc-aud-bye, the question will have to ho entertained in another aspect’ I believe the resumption of the waste lands of the Crown will yet ho brought before the Legislature of the Colony. The honorable gentleman 1 said the motion would not interfere with other legislation or the policy of the Covernmeut, hut X say it would. He also said that the two Provint'es v/oul<l deserve gr'ea.t efi'edit for in. {such a public-spin ted manner; blit that might

cut two ways, and such conduct might not be so public-spirited as the honorable gentleirtau skeins to think. As to its not being an interference with other legislation, I am surprised the honorable gentleman should say that, as we see on the Order Paper of the House of Keprc sentatives a Bill that will perhaps conic to u* to-day, the Otago Land Loan Security Jsili. The people of Otago intend to raise a loan upon these very lands which the honorable gentleman moves should be devoted to public put poses 01 the benefit of the Colony, by the construction of railways. That is a contradiction. 0 tho. e Provinces made the railways out ot the pio reeds of their lands, it might be said some day, “ We have done all these public matters ; w ii> should we be charged with certain hal>ndies, q hat view would he taken. I think tins Council had better not commit itself to any expression of opinion that Otago and Cantei i y should do any such thing, and especially in the face of the public action of the J rovinct of Otago, A private member moves this motion, but a public member and a public body aro bringing forward this Loan Lill. 110 -T* is asked to affirm tins proposition with the view of putting a stop to further Provincial borrowing, at any rate in those Provinces, if the honorable member states that, be is anticipating legislation with which wo will have to deal in the course of a few houis.