The Fielding Star. TUESDAY, SEPT. 18, 1883. The Inland Railway.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 45, 18 September 1883, Page 2

The Fielding Star. TUESDAY, SEPT. 18, 1883. The Inland Railway.

— m~ The difficulty raised by the Po'utokotokochiefs who stopped Mr Rochp h*t at the Mani!-anuiotei«, and rent him back alter he had made considerable progress with his work, may now bo considered to be removed. It has transpired that these Natives had not been consulted by the Governm-nt, nor had permission been givou by tho Na'.ives for the surveyors to -jo over the route proposed. The first inn— mixtion they received was the appearance of the Government surveyors on the u round. Mr Koch fort had foreseen a possible objection on the part of the Natives, and hud provided himself with proper credentials from Major Kkmp We are informed by the Chronicle that one ol the letters trom tho Major urged that the «urvey should be allowed to proceed, as that chief is fully alive to the importance ot having the railway constructed, and is farsighced enough to see the immensely increased value that would be put on lhe Native laud, in which he and his friends are interested. Kkmp's desire* to see this end accomplished is only equalled by that of the Government, and during* the interview between the Native Minister and himself, all other grievances were carefully left aside, no doubt to be brought up again when the proper time arrives. Kkmp has undertaken to do all he can to forward the survey and it is a great point to have secured his co-operation. He has summoned a meeting of the Natives interested, to be held at Banana on the 20th inst, and chiefs from the tribe which stopped Rochfort will be invited to attend. Mr Koch fort will also be present, 'lhe Chronicle hopes that the meeting of the Native Minister and Kemp may lead to a reconciliation between the latter and the Government. This would probably lead to tho restoration of his office and emoluments. In tin- position he is now taking up with r-gard to the inland railway question, he may be actuated by selfish motives, but his co-operation wi'h the Govemme t is not the less valuable, and, had it not been for his exertions, the survey would probably bave been indefinitely delayed. For our part, we are glad that the consideration of the question of the inland line of railway was not brought before Parliament during the session which has just come to a termination. The utter disorganisation which obtained in tbe House, especially during the latter p«rt of the session, would have made it impossible for the Government to have commanded a calm consideration of so vit;<l a question. The Auckland and Taranaki members would have been able, possibly, to have exerted a most undue influence which might have led to the diversion ot the route to tho socalled Mok au line. If the necessary surveys ol the rival routes are completed and laid before tlie House at its next meeting, it is not unlikely each will receive fair treatment at the hands of hon. members. The question should not be made a party one. but should be considered as a great factor in the general prosperity of the whole Colony. A little tact exercised by the Government in conciliating those members who are yet smurting under the wr -ngs supposed to have been inflicted on them la-it session by the Colonial Ireasurer, may secure a dispassionate debate at the least. The V;>tes of the southern members will decide the question.