LOOKING BEFORE LEAPING.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 35, 23 September 1871, Page 12

LOOKING BEFORE LEAPING.

These three simple words suggest a course of action which necessarily commends itself to the good sense of the wise and prudent. These words also convey a faithful idea of the course the Ministry have resolved to adopt relative to the construction of railways in New Zealand. It is a course which has our most cordial approval. It was with more than ordinary feelings of satisfaction that we heard the announcement that the Government had determined no railways should be constructed which did not at once promise to pay working expenses. It must have been heard with similar feelings by . the warmest -friends of the Ministry, and the most ardent believers in the rich resources of this colony, as it avowedly was also even by the Superintendent' of Canterbury. We verily believe that the announcement of such a policy would have gone a very great way towards disarming the opposition of even the Hon J. C. Richmond, had he been in the House: though it does not appear that it lias been quite so successful in shaming into silence tne loquacity of the whole of those members who have been constantly prating about the fallacious hopes, gambling spirit, and reckless temerity, which animated, sustained, and characterised the Ministerial proposals. If the Government resolutely abide by this determination, of which there appears to be no doubt, as they will in doing so be supported by the House, the present and future will atonce wear a more clear and cheerful aspect. Such a decision may he pronounced as prudent, as it was by many unexpected ; while it conveys a practical acknowledgment by the Ministry of the wisdom of the precept of “looking befoie leaping.” We need not say that some of their best friends, judging from the past, felt that there was some danger of this being disregarded. As no railways are to be commenced which do. not at once promise to pay their working expenses, the coastal competition and other objections, urged last session against the railway proposals of the. Government will receive all the consideration to which they are fairly entitled. The danger of the colony plunging over head and ears into debt, which had been depicted in such Rembrandt coloring by some of our stick-in-the-mud painters, prophets, and politicians, is dissipated by the resolution of “ looking before leaping.” Whoever may be our future ministers, and whoever may constitute the Board of Works, we trust that they will have this precept constantly in their mind’s eye, and sanction the construction of no railways which do not promise to pay their working expenses. We have at present referred only to the first of the two principles which the Government have determined to adopt relative to railway construction • but we consider the second of at least equal importance. “ In order,” said Mi Vogel, “ to prevent an indiscriminate scramble for railways, a power of local rating should, under certain contingencies, be provided.” The policy and necessity of this we have been all along maintaining. No machinery could be better adapted to secure the object referred to than that here indicated. If it did nothing more than prevent such scrambles, it would prove very beneficial. But this would turn out to be one of the least of its advantages. J 4 will accomplish.far more importaij-V'objects. Its political and social will be at least equal to its economic benefits. Its equity is as manifest as its expediency and necessity. li is the saddling the burden

upon the right horse. It will prove a truer indicator to the Government as to the remunerative character of any proposed lines than any other device that could be adopted for that object. It will test the sincerity of those who maintain that a- line through their locality could not fail to prove a financial success. No railway should be made to any district the property, owners of which are not willing to supplement their railway receipts by sufficient rates to cover the interest on its cost of construction, as well as its working expenses. If there is no doubt that there will be sufficient traffic when the railway is fairly opened, to cover these charges, there need be no hesitation in giving such a guarantee as that here pointed to. Nobody would object to endorse a bill he felt sure would be met at maturity; and still less would be object if he was himself to receive the chief benefit secured by its negotiation. The property owners of the district are simply required to give this endorsement, not to secure the payment of the principal, hut to cover, if necessary, the interest. If the railway will pay, they will not be required to pay, and to this arrangement they can have no honest objection. If, on the other hand, grave doubts exist as to the remunerative character of the proposed line, it may be taken for granted that it ought not to be undertaken. There is no reason why railroads, any more than common roads, should be maintained exclusively by tolls; but when these are sufficient for the purpose then rates can be dispensed with. In the assessment of such rates regard should be had to the proximity of the property to the station, so that those may pay most whose property is most benefited.