THE Grey River Argus. SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1867.

Grey River Argus, Volume III, Issue 159, 19 January 1867, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1867.

It was a fortunate accident for "Westland which sent Mr Cassius to the Provincial Council, for certainly he has not only exhibited a large amount of good sense and tact, but has shown himself capable of giving forcible expression to his opinions, We have noticed throughout the proceedings of the session that Mr Cassius has always spoken to the purpose when he has spoken at all, and what is still more praiseworthy, he has never spoken except when he has got something to say, which is more than can be said of most members, In another column Avill be found a report of the debate in the Provincial Council on the subject of railway communication between East and West Canterbury; and we think that our readers will agree with us in considering that Mr Cassius has taken a very proper stand, aud that his speech gave expression to the public opinion of Westland, • His earnest opposition to any proposal for saddling any further expenditure on the communication between the East and West Coasts ou the revenues of Westland, found vent in some forcible if unusual remarks on the commercial relations of the two districts; but Mr Cassius was undoubtedly correct in assuring the House that the Ports of Lyttelton or Christchurch can never hope to become the commercial depots for Westland even if conncoted by a railway. The arguments used by the supporters of tho resolution are of the most flimsy character, and precisely a repetition of those used when the West Coast Road was under discussion. Then as now the proposed scheme was to be the salvation at once of the inhabitants of Westland and the merchants aud agriculturists of East Canterbury. The West Coast Eoad was made, but it has not.nor ever would fulfil the expectations formed of it, It has not been of the slightest commercial benefit, except as a postal route ; it has not enriched the Lyttelton or Christchurch merchants, nor even "afforded an outlet for the su perilous farm produce of the Eastern side. Aud yet with the experience of the past as .a guide it is now proposed to construct a. railway, and the advocates of the measure' deceive themselves with the idea that it will do Avhat the West Coast -Road failed to accomplish. There is not a single reason adduced by the supporters of the resolution that will hold water for an instant. There never can be any commercial union between the two poi'tious of the province so long,' as Wt'stland possesses an accessible' port.

The most that Eastland merchants can ever hope to supply the ' West Coast /\vith is agricultural produce, the demand for which is likely to decrease as the West Ooast becomes more settled. All we can gay in favor of the proposed railway is simply what can be said of railway communication anywhere. No •one denies the advantages of railway communication, and we should be very glad if it were possible to ride in a railway car from Westland to Christ, clmrcli in a few hours, but we "must look to the quest-ion iv its- relation to existing circumstances, And we are sure that few who have a. thorough knowledge of them can honestly advocate the expenditure of the public revenue on the proposed line. The time may come when it will be the proper thing, to do as part of a general system of communication throughout the colony, but as simply a means of connecting iis with Christchurch, we deny its urgency. , Any advantages it might confer would be more than com. pensated by the heavy tax it would be on, the revenues of the country.