THE GLOBE. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1881. THE RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION BILL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2318, 8 September 1881, Page 2

THE GLOBE. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1881. THE RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION BILL.

1 I The manner in which time has been ’ wasted daring the present session is illas--1 trated by the existing condition of the , Railway Construction Bill. This Bill was introduced with a view of opening i out a new era in the construction of railways. It developed a principle, nnj tried as yet in New Zealand, but which ! had been found to work admirably in America and elsewhere, and it was trusted that, under its provisions, many most | useful works would shortly be undertaken. The passing of the Bill had indeed been i as it were anticipated, inasmuch that, as regards the West Coast Railway of the 1 North Island, funds had been promised | for the carrying out of the project on the lines which the Government had planned, and the Government had stated its readiness to hand over to the company the uncompleted works in existence. Here then wo have a Bill at once practical, pressing and embodying new and important principles, but it is thrown into the shade by the cruel waste of time brought about by ! the manosuvres of certain individuals I in the House. Indeed, the fate of the Bill is very doubtful. By last advices it had not reached the committee stage, and it is just possible that it may become an “ innocent ” in the last general massacre. But, even supposing it passes, the measure will certainly not have obtained that amount of calm consideration it deserves. It was acknowledged to be one of the most important measures of the session, and to see it hustled into being would be, to say the least of it, annoying. Certainly, the Government are not to blame for this fiasco. They have done their best for their protege, and at the present moment have accepted all amendments to facilitate matters. But the House cannot talk nonsense by the week and do business at the same time. It may be said that the Government should be able to restrain the House from talking nonsense, and that its inability to do so shows its extreme weakness. To that opinion wo do not hold. Wo can see no possible combination among members of the present House whereby a Government could be formed that could carry through the business with a high hand. We hope to see a different state of affairs after the next general election, but at present the rate at which the real business of the country is managed appears to be at the mercy of members whoso ideas on the value of time are of the most hazy character. Foremost amongst these gentlemen is Mr. Ormond. He it is who may claim the doubtful honor of having broken up the business capacity of the present session. Before his Vote of Confidence motion everything seemed to point to the fact that a considerable quantity of real work would be done. But Mr. Ormond is selfish, and has heavy attacks of spleen. With no projects for the future, hut, apparently, with the mere object of letting off his superfluous bile, he tables a motion which has the effect of sending off members into the old rigmarole which has for years disfigured the pages of “ Hansard.” The No-Confidence debate spoiled the business habits of the House. It was far more to blame than the stonewalling on the Representation Bill, A fight might naturally have been exj pected over this Bill, and although a long time was taken over the matter the result was the placing on the Statute Book of a most useful measure. But the No-Con-fiilenco debate was merely a cruel waste of time at a critical juncture, and to it may be principally laid the present undeveloped state of many useful ideas. As for the Railway Construction Bill, one of three things must happen to it. It will either bo passed ia aa uaseemly

hurry; or it will be massacred ; or, lastly, a modified Bill will be passed to merely legalise the formation of the two or three lines of railway already contemplated to be found on the lines laid down in the Government proposals