The Evening Star THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1875.

Evening Star, Issue 3836, 10 June 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1875.

As was anticipated, the introduction of the Outranj-Grey town Railway Bill was the signal for battle in the Provincial Council. When a man gives way to extreme animus, it is astonishing to note how his good sense deserts him, leaving his actions open to attack. The unseemly attempt made to prevent the introduction of the Outram Company’s measure did more than anything its best friend could do to help it along. The Government, aware that it was on the Order Paper yesterday for second reading, hurried down the Superintendent’s message for branch railways to be constructed out of -the loan, in which the Mosgiel to Outram Ime had a place, hoping, at the least, to place that proposal as against the Greytown line. When it transpired that the Company's Bill was irregular, no scruple was raised against a very mean attempt being made to prevent it being considered at all. Fortunately, as we think, owing to the over zeal of the Government, this did not succeed, and the two lines will come on before the Council on their merits to-day. If it is thought better- by any one of the members from the Taieri that a line . should run one way in preference to the other, there would be clear justification in urging all that could be said for the particular view favored. For the Government to adopt the crotchet of one of the Taieri members, advanced as against his two colleagues, and not only adopt it, but try to obstruct a consideration of the rival branch, was unpardonable. In all these projected lines private owners of property look to gain. Whether the line takes one course or the other, private interests will gain or lose. The real position is : have the promoters of the Outram and Gieyfown Railway made out a case for themselves ? The Superintendent viewed the matter broadly when he said he did not care if there were fifty lines constructed to Outturn. Private railway companies will always advance their proposals in the best way to enable their shareholders to make a profit. Any departure by Government bolstering of the sound laws of competition must be a failure. Such bolstering may lead to the construction of lines that will not pay working expenses, though privately they may benept a large number of settlers. The rule seems to be that such benefit cannot be -expected, unless it will pay capital to construct works which will offer it. The Government have placed themselves in a false position with regard to all the private Railway Bills—a position which it would be better grace at once to abandon.