The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, SEPT. 4, 1890. A Contrast

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 34, 4 September 1890, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, SEPT. 4, 1890. A Contrast

In the House a few days ago Sir G«org« Grey suggt-ited that the S;ate should assume the control of the coal fields of the colony for the reasons, as repojt«d by our contemporary the Post, ihit as the railways belong to the Stare it is desirable that the supply of coal necessary for their working should bo under the same control, because it is dangerous that the railway »yßtem of the colony should at any moment be liable to be thrown out of gear by the action of any private company or ring. Sir George Grey advocates that the supply of coal should f • aa much a State monopoly as the railways, or the post office, or the tele graphs. He would have the Government resume possession of the coal measure* it has already leased, to cease granting leases of others, and, we presume, to acquire those which are not and never have been, in its possession. There is a great deal to be said in favour of such a policy. Ceal is the lifeblood of civilised industry, and no reasonable exception could be taken to the State retaining or acquiring the control of saeh au area of coal as would supply its own wants, and render it independent of privately owned or worked mines. There is much practical wisdom in the proposal of Sir George Grey, and although it is not likely to receive much consideration at the hands of the present House of Representatives it will be impressed on the minds of the people. As a contrast to the sensible proposal of the statesman Sir George Grey, we quote the proposal made by a local •• politician " : — " In taa House of Representatives this afternoon, Mr Joyce gave notioe to ask the Government whether they intend to suspend all other business in order to enact a measure ivafcing it unlawful for any shipping or company in Nevr Zealand to be associated with any other company or persons beyond New Zealand in producing or continuing the paralysis of trade and commerce bow existing in the colon?" Any question uiore utterly foolish, or shoving such erase ignorance of all the rules, established by long experience, whisk govern commercial affaire has never been asked in the Hou*e, &u4 t&ai is saying a good deal. Ou the principle of answering a f ool »ecordin>r to hie f »lly — -" In reply to Mi Joyce, tbe Minister oi Cuatouvj ttaid that iitstruetiooß kad

been given to Collectors at the different ports that the Act was to be strictly carried out in respect of vessels being properly manned." Mr Joyce no doubt feels much wiser now.