THE MIRAMAR BILL. Has it a Chance this Session ?

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 70, 2 November 1901, Page 8

THE MIRAMAR BILL. Has it a Chance this Session ?

HAS Mr George Fisher instituted a house-to-house canvas of Wellington? Mr. Fisher tells the world that four-fifths of the people of Wellington are against the pui chase of Miramai It may be so, but no one at present knows it Even the member mentioned must be speaking out of his prescience or whatever he calls the gift that makes him so familiar with the opinion of neaily the whole of the people of Wellington It is not easy to understand this persistent attempt on Mr Fisher s part to block the Bill • * • The people of Wellington have not had a chance of showing if they want Miramar or not and it is certainly not fair that the question should be deemed to be scttlde by the voice of the people because a few malcontents, whose action is so opposed to progress, are content to let pass the opportunity to acquue a propeity that is almost a necessity to the health of the people On Friday last the people were tieated to a bulhant Parhamentaiy performance, in which nineteen local Bills were put through then vanous stages in an hour and three-quarteis * * ♦ Wheie was that Miramar Bill, and ,vhy was not this important measure included in the performance It would seem almost that Wellington is to be prevented at all hazards, by a few individuals, from expressing its mind, through the ballot, on this ouestion of the purchase of Miramar It is not reasonable to assume that four-fifths of the population of Wellington are opposed to free air, recreation, and increased building facilities Wellington must progress whether she buys Miramar or not. but she certainly should progress faster with that estate. If she does not buy it. private enterprise will probably step in and do so ♦ * • Is there any ul ten or motive in the designs of a few who are opposed to this purchase ? The idea that Miramar would become a white elephant is too absurd to hold for a moment The fact of Welhngtonians in Parliament blocking the passage of this Bill is a curious instance of a perversity that points to no very great love for their town or for the people of it There is yet time during the expiring days of the session for this Bill to be passed It should be allowed as good a show as any other Bill before or after it on the order paper * • • We would speak for the remaining fifth of the people of Wellington who resisted the voice of Mr George Fisher presuming he canvassed them to ascertain their views If his figures are correct, there is no need for a poll of the ratepayers Supposing, however, that there may be more than one-fifth of the people of Wellington who require Miramar, and believe its acquisition would be an asset of immense value financially and as affecting the health of the community, it is unkind to hold this Bill over for another session — or for ever. Given a chance, we believe the people of this city, instead of opposing it by five to one, would vote

for it with a four-fifths majority. This opinion is at least as valuable, statistically, as that of the member for Wellington City