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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5496, 7 November 1878, Page 2

It is always wise to lot well alone, especially in tho political world. Mr. Macandrew’s Public Works Statement was well received by tho public generally, and it is a pity that he should have tarnished his laurels by such an objectionable innovation as the Railways Construction Bill. Those who remember what Sir Julius Vogel’s original scheme really was, will recognise that in effect Mr. Macandrew’s present proposals are chiefly and effectively the completion of a system of trunk lines of communication throughout the Colony which Sir Julios advocated, and it was only through the pressure brought to bear upon him by the different provinces, that he was compelled to modify his proposals and to accept the piecemeal system of railway construction that was adopted. . Ho found that he must either make concessions to the strong provincial jealousy and rivalry that existed, or abandon a grand and far-sighted policy altogether.- As the small sections of railways authorised were gradually extended the evils of the system were sure to grow less and the desire to connect disjointed fragments was equally sure to become stronger. The great author of the Public Works policy foresaw this, and the Public Works Statement for 1878 proves that the result has justified the view then taken by him. . A glance at the map will show that in the Middle Island a grand trunk railway may now be said to be an accomplished fact. In tho North Island, as there wore at the time that Mr. Maoanduew made his Statement only 311 miles of line open, which are divided between five widely distant localities, no main line can yet be said to exist. At least two of tho proposed linos in this island advocated by Mr. Macandrew are as yet in such an embryonic stage that the appearance of fairness that there is on the face of his proposals vanishes almost entirely upon a closer examination. Tho possibility of finding a practicable lino from Wellington by Waikanae to Foxton is as yet simply a matter of guesswork, and as the route cannot be said to bo decided on, any estimate of cost is quite speculative. The land in great part is still hold by tho Maoris, and unless the land adjacent to the line can be secured at a reasonable price without delay, any further steps in regard to survey, etc., must be looked upon as likely to hinder the purchase. Every penny spent by tho Government upon preliminary work will increase their stake in the game, and will strengthen the hands of tho natives. In the Waikato to Taranaki line the same objections exist in an intensified form. Tho negotiations for purchase cannot be proceeded with. From Masterton to Woodvillo, as tho country is unsettled and very heavily timbered, the work on that section' of the lino will probably be postponed until after tho line to Masterton has been completed. This will not take place before the middle of 1880. In this district also tho Maoris are to a large extent tho owners of the fee-simple of the land, and are daily growing more and more determined to exact a large price for it. An examination of the schedule leads us to believe that out of tho 300 miles of railway with which Mr. Macandrew proposes to fill up the gaps in the North Island system not more than 50 miles is at all likely to bo open for contract for some time. In the southern part of tho South Island no obstacles are at all likely to be met with. The fact that at the time of the Statement there were 741 miles of railway open in the South Island, and only 311 miles in tho North, deserves consideration. These lines when completed will measure 425 miles and 874 miles respectively. In addition to this, there are now proposals before the country to construct, according to tho Public Works Statement, in the North Island 300 miles, in the Middle Island 576 h miles. All the most important of the Southern lines, aggregating over 400 miles, are contained in the schedule of the Railways Construction Act, and may bo at once proceeded with ; but in this island along delay must necessarily take place. Without any desire to again revive tho old feud of North and South, a dispassionate consideration of tho Public Works policy by tho light of tho Railways Construction Act, forces upon us this conviction, that while tho Middle Island will have all its railways tho North must bo content,with tho prospect. We have a promise of a full share of tho milk, but when our turn comes the cream will be all gone.