The Railway Bill

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 70, 20 September 1893, Page 2

The Railway Bill

We endorse the sentiments expressed by the Post on the speech made by the Premier when the latter moved the second reading of the Railway Bill. Our contemporary contends it was one entirely unworthy of the position he holds and of the man himself in his better moments. It was a wild and bitter attack on the Commissioners. If the Premier of the colony felt it his duty in the public interest to propose a reversal of the policy of railway management adopted by the Legisla ture a few years ago — after long consideration, and a.s affording the only means of escape from the evils of political administration — he should have 1 approached the subject in a calm, judicial spirit, supporting his arguments by incontestable facts, and treating the subject from an altogether impersonal point of view. If able to show that the management of the Commissioners is not altogether what it should be, or so beneficial to the public as the management lie desires, he should have attacked the system, not the men, and have been able to prove every assertion he made. Instead of proceeding in this way, the Premier made a series of reckless accusations, many of which have long ago been answered and disproved, and none of which he was able to support by a tittle of trustworthy evidence, and lie exhibited a most deplorable feeling of personal animosity and jealousy of the meanest kind towards the Commissioners. It would scarely be too strong an expression to characterise his speech as bpiteful. To any candid and impartial mind it carried itri own condemnation with it. The second reading of the Bill was carried early this morning by twenty votes to twelve, when Mr Seddon said he did not intend to take any other business until the Bill was out ot the way. It will be considered in Committee this afternoon, when we hope the Opposition will contest it word by word and line by line. We agree with our contemporary, the Post, that the country will bo grateful to them if they prevent. t,lu> P/ill passing.