MR. LAWSON'S REPLY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 90, 11 July 1879, Page 3

MR. LAWSON'S REPLY.

, •■ * The letter which we publish in another column from Mr Lawson to the Chairman of the late meeting re wharf, charges, is a most unsatisfactoiy production. It simply amounts to this : " You are a very unkind lot of people, to suppose I will not keep my promise ; don't be in a hurry ; have confidence in me, and it will all come right in the end." Precisely. But when will the end be ? " Ay ; there's the rub." Perhaps we are unacquainted with the definition of " a, general question," to which category Commissioner Lawson says the matter of wharf charges at Foxton belongs. We look upon it as a particular question, relating only to this district. Were there a uniform scale of wharf rates throughout the Colony, then we cotild understand ihe statement that the question is a general one ; but the, contrary is the fact,and we have repeatedly shown that in this xtfattier foxton is treated exceptionally and unjustly, standing alone as ti^e , Jieaviest-weighted port in New Zealand. Yet Mr Lawson says it is " a : geiieral question !" h:W/hat is this "conference" that Mr Lawson speaks of, and what has it tp do with the question of wharf rajes a}; Foxton ? When Mr Macanctrew was spoken to, he simply said, "Mr Lawson is an expert ; what he Recommends I will gladly do ;" and this talk of a conference to deal with a simple question like that of wharf rates -at -a small port smells like a good red herring across the scent. Mr Macandrew's remark plainly snows, what what we all know, that the question is one of departmental administration, and that the Commissioner of Bailways for the North Island will at once find any recommendation he makes upon the subject gazetted. Our only claim is on the ground of the exceptional position Manawatu = occupies in this matter. Mr Conyers, the South Island Commissioner is now at Wellington, and if any conference is to take place on the subject of Foxton wharf rates, now is the time..