GISBORNE-KARAKA RAILWAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 328, 31 January 1902, Page 3

GISBORNE-KARAKA RAILWAY.

rTo the Editor of the Times.)

Sir, —I trust the citizens of this Borough will manifest by their presence at the public meeting called for Friday night that they are thoroughly in earnest in desiring the completion of this important work. The reports of the stoppage of all our railways being cabled to England must, I think, prove injurious to our credit. Our last loan was, I believe, floated at 6 discount, whilst the West Australian was 2 premium. The Premier appears so absorbed in militarism and foreign affairs that our colony is likely to take a second place. The Minister for Railways states he and the Premier have gained several stone, and are enjoying themselves at banquets, while hundreds of men are suddenly thrown out of employment. Sir, I think it high time that tho welfare of tho colonists in developing roads and railways should be much more attended to by her leading Statesmen than many consider is being done. Manipulations of figures, with no means of properly checkiog their correctness, we shall probably shortly be treated too. Why has there been such needless additional expenses incurred in the extra salaries almost forced upon the M.H.R.’s, and so many new departments in this young colony ? The large increases in the Ministerial and Governor’s salaries are not warranted in the present great fall in prices of our wool and muttou. Rejoicing in Europe and America has occurred in consequence of the overthrow of Tammany corruption. Wo 'should exercise care not to place reliance on all the fair speeches that are constantly being reported. Mr Hogg, M.H.R., has sounded a note of warning as to the extravagance of the Government in so many particulars where strict economy is urgently called for. It is quite possible for a Democratic Ministry ±o become ipse facto an autocratic one, and the'wishes of the people to be ignored rather than studied. Unbounded confidence may be grossly abused if people neglect to conserve their own rights and privileges by watchful care that they are not trampled on or ignored.—l am, etc., J. Peckovbr. Jan. 80, 1902.