The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MOBBING. GISBORNE, JAN. 27 1906. FAVORED WEST COAST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1659, 27 January 1906, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MOBBING. GISBORNE, JAN. 27 1906. FAVORED WEST COAST.

The panegyrics that have lately been written about the West Coast have aroused some curiosity as to the rea. son for the sudden discovery of so many gifts of nature having been made to a portion of the colony that can in no way compare with the district represented by Mr. Carroll. “The latest West Coast bubble ” is the sarcastic heading which the Ohristchurth Press gives to an article which states that “ there was at first some mystery as to why the Hon T. Duncan, Minister for Lands, was taken to accompany the Premier on his West Coast tour. The secret is, perhaps, explained when wo read Mr Duncan’s enthusiastic eulogies of South Westland, as the ‘ bright spot of the colony,’ ablo to ‘supply tho whole of New Zealand with timber,’ and with other resources which in future will enable it to support ‘ a large and thriving population.’ ’’ The." Christchurch journal is emboldened to prophesy two things, the first that Mr Duncan will not be asked

to give up the porfolio of lands, and the second is tnat during the ensuing Parliament we shall see very large sums of public money showered on the fortunate West Coast for the construction of railways and roads. A good many constituencies would like to have the Premier as their representative, so firm has become the belief as to the

, favors showered upon the portion of > tho colony represented by Mr Seddon. “ Now,” states the Press, “ we have no hesitation in saying that already moro money has beon spent on the West Coast in the matter of railway construction han its population and resources justify. The suggestion of joining up the Eoss railway with the Otago Central is about as probable of execution as a railway to the moon, and would, if it were attempted to be carried out, yield the prospect of about as much profit. It was, we presumed, intended for local consumption—to tickle the ears of the simple West Coasters - and we do not propose to treat it seriously. We do not hesitate to say, however, that it will be a gross job if Parliament allows the Holdtika-Ross railway to be rushed on, and carried still further into the inhospitable wilds of South Westland, while such scandalous delay is being manifested over the completion of important lines like the North Island Main Trunk, or the railway to Cheviot.” We of course would place the Gisborne line in the little list mentioned, even seek to have it put in front of trunk lines. The article concludes in these forcible terms: “The country has placed him in a position of unlimited power, and has endorsed his policy of spending tho Public Works Fund where he pleases, instead of spending it on works most likely to benefit the country as a whole. That he should elect to divert a still larger share of the Pactoleau shower on the

rain-swept wilds ol fclio Wost Const is, choroforo, only wliat might naturally bo oxpoctod.” Wo have no complaint against tho Coaßt so long as other parts of tho colony aro treated fairly. A placo certainly should not bo penalised because it is represented by tho Premier, It is only natural that an extra moasuro of kindliness should bo shown to tho “ West Coast,” but tho pains latoly taken to make known its superior natural gifts aro apt to arouso pooplo who aro of a suspicious turn of mind.