The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1878.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5435, 28 August 1878, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1878.

The Hon. Minister for Public Works made tho annual Statement last night. We have been able to print it in extenso as delivered, but of course without the tables. Tho rumors with which it was heralded, and to which we have before referred, were not more than usually inaccurate. The scheme is comprehensive. Including tho portions of the original project of 1870, —that is, tho completion of tho trunk lines in the North and South Islands, — it contemplates tho making of many branches ; and its policy, in that it pro-

poses to revert to the original idea of making the land at least contribute towards when it cannot wholly provide for the cost of tho works, will, we think, be generally commended. Regret or recrimination for tho past is useless now; it is some atonement that the wisdom of that policy is admitted now by tlioso wboso action rendered its early fruition impossible. Financially, the proposals of this Public Works Statement must be read and considered with the Budget of the Colonial Treasurer before any definite opinion can bo given as to their soundness; hut the admission of the principle which wo have indicated ought to be welcomed. Although Mr. Macandrew spoke of the oolonialisation of the land revenue, it does not appear that he regards the land revenue as belonging to the colony, and as forming part of tho fund presently applicable in aid of loans for the general prosecution of public works. On tho contrary, as we road the Statement, the land revenue is to be localised again, and to be applied only to tho construction of tho lines which open up the districts in which such lands are situate, and by moans of which they are supposed to be rendered available and marketable. Wo shall bo glad to learn that, as the intention is not definitely staled, our inference is erroneous. The North Island is, on tho whole, fairly considered. We will not carp at tho existing disproportion between tho share of expenditure on works in the South and in the North, but if the Government rigidly adhere to their expressed determination “never again to “ sanction the commencement of a railway “as to which there is not reasonable evi- “ denco that it will pay,” we greatly fear that that disproportion must bo exaggerated in the immediate future. Taking the broad Colonial view of the Statement, then, as a scheme of public works, it may be said to be bold and fair as well as comprehensive. Of its financial soundness we shall know more hereafter. Tho time for its completion must, however, necessarily be extended. Given the aid of large additions to our population, which we hope to see, tho work cannot be done, even by Mr. Macandrew, in the time specified. The announcement that tho Government have arrived at the determination that the care and charge of local works shall devolve upon local will, wo think, be received with satisfaction. It is to be hoped that the House will support Ministers in that resolution, and that such a spectacle as the scramble of last year may never be again witnessed in our Colonial Parliament.

When Mr. Macandrew had concluded, Mr. Stout announced that in order to prevent the operations of speculators tho Governor had been advised to withdraw from sale all lands lying near tho projected lines, in Canterbury chiefly. Clause 49 of the Land Act, which gives power of dealing with land having a special value, runs as follows :

It shall at any time be lawful for the Board to offer for sale by auction, or to dispose of tlie lease thereof by auction in such manner and at such price as tho Board may think fit, not being less than tho price at present authorised by law within the land district, any land which may be deemed to possess special value owing to its superior quality for agricultural purposes, or owing to proximity of constructed or projector lines of railway, or on account of minerals or timber, or from improvements or otherwise, or in respect whereof compensation shall have been paid to any person under any Act: Provided that the ground on which the Board shall deem such land to possess special value shall in every case bo recorded on the minutes of the proceedings of the Board.