The Globe. THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 867, 5 April 1877, Page 2

The Globe. THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1877.

The Honorable J. I). Ormond, the Minister for Public Works, had rather a lively time of it yesterday at the conference between him and the Chamber of Commerce. The object of the meeting, the Minister stated, was to obtain the opinion of the Chamber upon the regulations recently issued by the G-overnment for the storage of grain. The authorities, he stated, were anxious to afford every facility for the conduct of tho grain traffic of the district, and at the same time to provide against a block on the railway. In March last new regulations were issued having for their object that end. The rates were considerably reduced, and the Government is now advised that they are too low, and that if they are continued a blockage in the traffic must result. Mr Ormond therefore met the Chamber for the purpose of obtaining the views of the members on the subject, and ho could have no difficulty ’in arriving at the opinions of the members who spoke. It is quite plain, they pointed out that, if the present regulations continue the Government stores will be filled to overflowing, and private stores left empty. The only way to get over the difficulty they pointed out was to increase those charges in the stores of the G-overnment, or else withdraw the haulage of one shilling and sixpence to private stores. If either course were adopted, private firms would be able to compete with the Government, and justice be done to all parties. Mr. Ormond replied that he would inquire what the actual cost of haulage to the railway was, adding that the G-overn-ment would like to put all on the same footing. Whether that will be done by raising the rates in the Government stores, or by lowering the haulage charge, he did not distinctly state.

Tns Chamber of Commerce did service to the mercantile community yesterday in eliciting from tbe Minister for Public Works an indication as to bis policy regarding storage accommodation on the railways for the future. As Mr. Stead pointed out, there had been an utter want of finality in the policy of the Government hitherto, A dozen changes had taken place during the last eight years, and if the Government could give some information as to its future intentions, a great service would be rendered to the export community. Mr. Stead further pointed out that, if it was the intention of the Government to provide storage accommodation for all public requirements, that accommodation must be largely increased. If, on the other hand, private enterprise was supposed to supply the deficiency, the obstacles hitherto thrown in the way of so doing must be removed. He thought, if they had the opportunity, there were plenty of merchants who would be only too happy to put up stores in connection with the railway. Without committing himself definitely, Mr. Ormond stated that the Government could not undertake a liability for storage; he was of opinion that they should restrict their functions as much as possible to carriage; and if they could see their way to the matter being left to private enterprise in future, he thought it would be the best way of considering the whole subject. We do not suppose Mr. Ormond could give a more definite answer at present, but the careful attention which he gave to the representations of the Chamber will, we hope, result in something definite being determined on at an early date. It is manifestly better for all parties that private enterprise should make provision for the storage of the vast quantities of grain which are annually carried on our railways ; but the “ dog in the manger” policy of the late Provincial Government of refusing to grant sidings to stores on private lands must bo abandoned. The tone adopted by Mr. Ormond yesterday gives indications of the dawn of a new era in railway management in Canterbury.

The determination expressed by His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston to put down with the strong hand of the law crimes of violence will meet with general approval. In the two cases before the Supreme Court yesterday in which severe sentences were passed, the offenders had been previously convicted, and from the evidence of the Inspector of Detectives, it was shown that they were habitual associates of thieves. It was plain therefore that the punishment already inflicted had had but little effect, and that unless steps were taken to prevent it, the nucleus of an organised criminal gang would be formed. As bis Honor observed this must bo prevented at all hazards, and

to pass any "but severe sentences would be but encouraging crime. The sentences passed in the two cases to which we have referred will, wo hope, act as a deterrent to the criminnl classes, or those connected with them. To men of this stamp, a short period of imprisonment is no preventative, but, if they find those charged with the administration of the law, inflicting heavy sentences, they will pause before they commit crime. Therefore, all law-abiding citizens will feel satisfaction in the course pursued by the learned 3 udge, as being one likely to act as a preventative of crime.