THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. THURSDAY, FEB. 18, 1909 A POLICY FOR THE NORTH.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 132, 18 February 1909, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. THURSDAY, FEB. 18, 1909 A POLICY FOR THE NORTH.

During the course of a recent speech at Hanmcr, Mr Rutherford, who retired at the end of Inst session from the Hurunui seat, was responsible for some sweeping criticism of Government method?. As conveying an idea of a Southerner's conception of the North, the following is of interest: - "The North Island members in particular do not greatly concern themselves about legislation. They arc primarily sent to Parliament for the purpose of obtaining railways and roads and bridges grants, and right well do they execute their errand. I,ast session the provincial district of Auckland got «tway with votes for roads and bridges alone, to the amount of £224,ou*\ and little Taranaki for £52,000, as against Canterbury £15,000. This is about the annual recurring proportion. The Government and the majority of members are of opinion that public money expended in Canterbury could have been much more advantageously spent in other parts of the Dominion."

The Lyttelton Times, which con «istently supports the Government policy, in a leading article on the subject, deals with many of Mr Rutherford's criticisms, but is discreetly silent on the question of Northern grants as compared with those for the South. Mr Rutherford adopts an attitude very generally taken by Southern members of late, and upon the slightest pretext levels charges of parochialism against i Northern members who stand for their j i district in the matter of claims for re- j , cognition. Whether the charge as to ' the Northern members being elected to merely agitate for grants is founded j, upon truth or not, there is little doubt ; that such a policy was highly necessary. Taking the figures from the Public j Works Statement of 1008, it appears j | that the South Island possesses 1516 j miles of railways as against 955 miles | in the North. As to the rate at which j railways are being opened, the State- j ment shows that from 1904 to 1908 i there were opened in the South Island ! 95 miles, while during the same period in the North 50 miles were opened. As has been frequently claimed by the Government, the Main Trunk line was really a national undertaking, yet the greater portion of the figures, as applied to the North, relate to the Main Trunk line. In addition, we have to remember the Otira tunnel, which can hardly be termed a national undertaking, has been allocated a sum of over half a million. It requires little calculation to show an enormous preponderance for Southern railways. In respect to the road grants the figares of the last Estimates favour the

Wort)) considerably, but hosts of argurncnts can be adduced to show every justification for such a policv. Moreover, the advantage as regards road grants is npt sufficient to offset by many thousands Ihc enormous advantage of the South in respect to railway*. It is plainly apparent that Northern members will not receive anything from the Public Works fund without a stiff battle with the Southerners, and assuming that Mr Rutherford's charge, as to the mission of the Northern members, is true to a degree, there is much to be said in favour of

continuing such a policy. Prior to last election we were being told on all hands that the country required a respite from legislation. However true that contention may be, wp in the North certainly do riot require a'respite in the matter of road and rajlwfty works, and it will be as well for our mamh'TH to takr: the lesson tn heart, irrespective of" rritiri.-'ms from any r, pari ii ulari > wlu-ii .-Mi.-h i riti'-i.'Mi i. ';•;;!';<!' .< I'roMi ihf S'-iith.

In connection with the movement to initiate a national testimonial to Mr W. V. Massey, M.P., Leader of the Ojiposition. we have been requested by t)-■<■ K.\er.;tivc to receive subscriptions tn :he fund. It is felt by the Executive th:;t, outside of the ranks of Mr Mas-

;•<;.'.- supporter." ?r.d friends, there an mr-.ny people in the Dominion, who v. iil be gl«d of the epportunity of testifying to their practical appreciation of Mr Massey's sturdy integrity and sterling worth. -Subscriptions of one shilling and upwards will be received at the "Chronicle*' office.

Mr Justice Cooper, when imposing < sentences of ten years' imprisonment with hard labour at Wellington on each of the three convicted garrottersEdward Richard Black, John McCormick, and William Neil, said: "It may be nccesary, if these outrages continue to inflict, in addition to a long term of imprisonment the grave punishment of flogging. However ineffective the punishment may be to the person suffering, it may prove a deterrent to lawless men haunting the cities of this Dominion." Black is already serving a term of seven years for burglary. i The new sentence will be concurrent, i and at the end of it Black will be ■ treated as an habitual criminal. After j sentence had been passed, McCormick ! excitedly addressed the Bench, and vehemently protested his innocence. | The Church of England residents of ITe Kuiti intend holding a series of j Gipsy Teas in various places during the I warm weather, the object being to re- " duce the Church debt. The first of the j series was held at the Vicarage on I Thursday last. The second is to be ' held on Thursday next in the beautiI ful Hop Garden which is now in full \ bloom, and in itself should prove an | attraction; combined with tea, music and games an enjoyable afternoon should be spent. An American organ I will be on the grounds, and visitors are | invited to brin~ music and contribute songs.

On Saturday, the 20th instant, Dalgety and Co., hold their first stock sale in the Te Awamutu yards. They are favoured with particularly good entries, particulars of which appear in our advertising columns. The sale will commence at noon.

The sitting of the Te Kuiti Magistrate's Court fixed for February 17th was not held, in consequence of Mr E. C. Cutten, S.M., being unable to attend, and Messrs Tammadge and Scholes J's.P. presided at a sitting to take minor cases, and adjourn others for the Magistrate to hear. A sitting of the S.M. Court will be held on March 14 th.