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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5446, 10 September 1878, Page 2

In another column will be found a letter from the Bishop of Nelson, praying Sir George Grey, as Premier of New Zealand, to call to mind the promises made in the past to the districts of Nelson and Marlborough, and to use his influence to prevent the great and grievous wrong proposed to be inflicted by the scheme of Public Works introduced by the present Ministry. The Bishop expressly states that he takes no pirt in politics, that he lifts his voice in favor of justice only, whether it be imperilled by political action or by any other influence, “his duty is to him equally clear." Ho says, “ I cannot believe, sir, that you can be aware of the distinctness of the undertakings and promises made to this part of the South Island, and especially as regards Nelson, prior to the Public Works policy of 1870 73 being adopted.” Nothing was more certain than the speedy construction by private enterprise of a railway from Nelson via Poxhill to the West Coast.as one essential part of the creation of great trunk lines. This scheme was the very foundation atone upon which our Public Works policy was built, and which justified the borrowing of large loans upon a basis of national agreement. -He argues that the adoption of Mr. Macaudrew'a scheme will mean that all trust iu the uprightness and honor of Governments will be destroyed it leading schemes arc abandoned and engagements repudiated “ upon the integrity and stability of which the very life of commerce and trade , depends.” There cau be no doubt that the speedy departure and extinction of ■the’West Coast trade from Nelson would ruin many homes and destroy the reasonable hopes, of many a, struggling settlor, whoso expenditure and labor has been incurred under the impression that new markets would be opened and new sources of profit would be created by the completion of the railways promised. The Bishop carefully guards himself against any charge, of envy of the more fortunate districts, and bases his right to speak simply upon the fact that it Is bis duty to protest against any breach of public truth j against wrong inflicted by might against right, iu any form or in any sphere ; aud he appeals to Sir G. Grey’s high sense of honor, and his sympathy with the weak and agsjnat the strong, to ward off the danger. In a few words ho points out that a stranger, to look at tbs map upon'the completion of the present scheme of public works, would conclude that Nelson was a land barren and destitute of nil mineral, agricultural, and pastoral wealth ; and ho appeals to the Premier's own personal knowledge of the country to refute such an assumption. Pftoen millions of acres would bo practically excluded from their share iu the benefits to accrue from this great Public Works policy, hut would be called , upon to share its. cost, And this he does not hesitate to say is regarded "asa great political .fraud." Many a man might have forgotten to notice how valuable arc the great sauitoriuma to which the health-seeking part of the' civilised world' eagerly resorts. The Bishop cannot refuse to recognise the claim Nelson has in this respect alone, Tbo Wellington people,' who depend upon Ntl eon for their fruit, must admit that the climate there must ho superior to most, if not all, of the neighboring districts. In moderate accents their unexpected hut welcome advocate appeals to Sir George Grey to return to the original plan of main trunk railways, so far as the Nelson district is concernc 1, and not to allow a permanent feeling o; wrong to bo created by a Ministry of which he is the head. Thu original'plan proposed did not disregard “ the interests of* the two provincial districts' of Christchurch aud Otago, which now intend to absorb all that can ho raised in the next 1 five ■ years." In’ conclusion;. tKe Bishop reminds his correspondent that ou a recent yiijt to Jfajsoa the Premier aalfecl Wm

5f there was anything he could do for him, and that he declined the offer with thanks. But the fear of impending .wrong urged him to address this appeal George, which, with all respect, he hopes would not he made iir vain. The whole tone ; 'of*'tho letter, which we sincerelydiops our readers will carefully.consider! shows *.hd>v the' sense of the ‘unusual nature of ;the direct protest he Ims.been forcedinto oppresses the Bishop.: Political life is so far removed .from his. ordinary !sphere^that Bishop. Shter evidently feels that .he will.be ; regarded, 'as an.intruder, and even as an unwelcome' oho. V’Whether wo .'approve of. the voice of the Church making itself heard in the practical world of politics or not, it is impossible to refu-c to pay a tribute to the fearless courage and love of truth that, like the Seraph Abdiera’falth, was “faithful found among the faithless” • . • \ •