The Globe. WEDNESDAY AUGUST 14, 1878.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1403, 14 August 1878, Page 2

The Globe. WEDNESDAY AUGUST 14, 1878.

It is satisfactory to find that at last the people of Canterbury have awakened to the sense of the deep interest they have in the carrying further northward of the line now stopped at Amberloy. Whilst they have been sleeping the people in Otago, over keen -where their own interests are concerned, have been working, and the result is that wo find ourselves in the position of having a most formidable rival for the large trade which is sure to fifing up between the eapt and wept

coasts once they are connected by the iron horse. We say formidable not merely because of the well-known business activity and commercial push which characterises the merchants of Dunedin, but because the Minister for Public Works is a devoted champion of Otago, and one who has always shown himself most enthusiastic in her cause. To this Minister it must bo remembered is left in a largo degree the decision of the question of the route the railway shall take, subject, of course, to the approval of the House. It will,therefore, bo seen that the mere forwarding of resolutions from public meetings, however influentially they may bo attended, is but a small portion of the work before us. Such resolutions as were passed at the meeting of Monday, are absolutely useless, unless followed up by pressure upon the Government. Means should be taken to convince not only the West Coast members, but what wo may call the outside members of the House, of what is a fact, viz., that the best means of connecting the West Coast with the present system of railways is by the extension of the Amberley line. Apart from the fact that it is the most direct and shortest route, this line woidd open up a vast stretch of country for settlement, comprising in its area good agricultural laud fit for occupation. Its opening would result in the establishment of thriving townships in continuation of those which have sprung up whenever the railway line lias boon carried. By carrying on the Amberley lino to Greymouth, the West Coast would be placed in direct communication with what is destined to bo the great railway depot of the island—Christchurch. Here will centre the lines running to the Bluff southward, and to Nelson northward, and the direct connection of the West Coast would benefit both. Wo should be enabled to supply them with the manufactured and other articles which now almost exclusively are supplied from Melbourne. At the recent meeting of the Kaiapoi Farmers’ Club it was pointed out that the opening of such a lino to the West Coast would develop a trade from the Northern District amounting to £120,000 per annum. The manufactory 'situate in the Northern District would also receive a groat impetus from such a line being established, and no doubt it would act as an incentive for the establishment of other industries, for which at present there is not sufficient scope to pi'ove remunerative. This, it will be seen, is independent altogether of the produce business, which will bo very largely increased. The Canterbury plains are destined to become the granary of this island, and therefore it is highly necessary to secure so important an outlet as the West Coast could supply. On the other hand, the treeless condition of our plains points most conclusively to the large market that would at once spring up hero for the timber of the Westland forests. Thus, it appears to us, that the interests of both Westland and Canterbury would bo best served by the continuation of tire line from Amberley to Greymouth. There is, of course, nothing to stop the Otago people themselves making a lino to connect with Greymouth direct, should they think it necessary, but we feel certain that an unbiassed and impartial consideration of the whole circumstances of the case will show that the line we now advocate is the best for both East and West Canterbury. But there must be no relaxation in pressing the matter on the Government, as it must be remembered that Mr. Macandrew would naturally look with a favorable eye upon the claims of Otago. It remains with those who have taken the matter in hand to see that there is no delay in putting the undoubted claims of Canterbury before the members of the House.

After pressure to some extent being brought to bear upon the Government they have appointed a local analyst. Beyond doing this, however, no further provision has been made for the carrying into effect of the Adulteration of Food Act. That the salutary provisions of that Act should be strictly enforced no one will deny. It has more than once been openly and publicly stated that adulteration —notably of the liquor sold in Christchurch—is rife amongst us. If such bo the case .we are at a loss to understand why some steps have not been taken ere this to test the truth or otherwise of these assertions. It is a melancholy fact, proved incontestably by the statistics of our gaols and lunatic asylums, that the greater proportion of cases of crime and lunacy arise cither directly or indirectly from drink. How much more the potent effects of liquor are hoightoud by adulteration can easily be imagined. When, therefore, we have the means at our command of testing whether such is really the case, It appears to us nothing more uor less than winking at the wholesale deterioration of the public health. Wo are expressing no opinion as to whether the statements made as to the prevalence of adulteration in Christchurch are true or otherwise. They have been made publicly, and so far as we know have not been refuted. But the appointment of. some officer to carry out the details of the Act and to obtain from various places samples of liquors, &c., for analysatiou would at once set the matter at rest. If the statements made were proved to bo unfounded, then the particular trade which has boon spoken of will stand cleared of any charge. If, on the contrary, there bo detection and punishment of the offender or offenders, it will have a salutary effect. But whilst the fact has been allowed, as it has been, practically to remain a dead letter, the dishonest and unscrupulous are enabled to practise upou the public, and with the most disastrous results. We therefore hope that no time will be lost in taking such steps as will put the carrying out of the Act upou such a basis as will prevent any foundation beiug afforded for statements similar to those w'hich have been made.