THE THREATENED NEGLECT OF NELSON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 192, 12 September 1878, Page 2

THE THREATENED NEGLECT OF NELSON.

To the Editor op the 'Evening Hail.' Sir,— The people of this city are not yet aware of the full import of the Government policy, which threatens their present prosperity and future prospects. Owing to the comfort which is for the moat part their share, they find it hard to believe that a blow is aimed at them of so fatal a character as the passing of the "Macandrew Public Works Proposals." There are some among them who have risen to the crisis, but they would naturally shrink from putting before the public what would seem like an advocacy of their own interests, though it is really quite as much the development and upholding of the interests "of the public. You can hardly expect merchants to hold forth in the market place and say " We are the support of Nelson, and if we fail you must tail too," but such is the fact, and others must say it if it is true, though our merchants themselves can scarcely do so. Take the leading businesses amongst us, Messrs Edwards' Sclanders' Buxtons, and Levieu's. It needs no prophetic foresight to see that if the money raised and spent by these firms in connection with the West Coast aud West Coast steamers be withheld from Nelson, these firms will be forced to take their capital elsewhere, especially the former, and this will immediately affect the grocers, drapers, smiths, carpenters, &c, who will one by one have to sell out and go to some of those places which are unnaturally developed by resources which consist of loans on which Nelson thus diminished will have to pay interest. 1 do hope, too, that people will look ahead; it is no imaginary evil we are conjecturing, but one which makes itself felt as the necessary consequence of a diverted trade. I would that I could stimulate the people by a knowledge of the position, into something like action; they will find it out soon, and fearful will be the outburst of indignation against the Grey Government unless they alter their proposals. It is possible that the Government may this year have strength to carry this scheme, but our members will not be bound to it, but rather will be bound by every feeling of loyalty to the places they represent, to use every legitimate means of opposing it. We know they cannot do impossibilities, j but it is yet to be proved that Mr Macandrew's scheme is inevitable. We can, however, assure them that none of them, not even the best and most intelligent of them, can hope j for re-election unless they have by word and j vote, as much as in them lies, endeavored to thwart and veto the scheme of Mr Macandrew, which seems to remind us of the old Roman grudge, " Dtlenda est Carthago," the sentiment of these words being applied by the Minister of Works to Nelson and , Marlborough. But, Sir, what can be done? The following proposals are suggested — 1. A statement should be drawn up showing what has been done by Nelson itself to get a railway, and what are the grounds on which the people of Nelson have been led to look for the fulfilment and carrying out of a great Trunk Line scheme. 2. Addresses to Ministers and the House from the various bodies and communities affected by the proposed scheme, assuring them of the serious charge and odium which will attach to a Government that carries such a measure. 3. Urging our members to forget all differences, and to unite as one man on broad principles, with those of Marlborouglt, to battle for our rights. We shall not forget to whom we are indebted for success, if successful. 4. Demanding of 'the Government that if it will not construct the railway live between Nelson and Marlborough and the West Coast as part of the general scheme, it should at all events in some way enable the line to be constructed, as was. proposed at first, by the lands of the province. We ought at least to be placed in as fair a position as we were when our private proposal for a line was by request set aside for