ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Southland Times, Issue 676, 29 May 1867, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

'■ WE DO NOT IDENTIFY OTTESETTES IK : ANY WAY "WITH THE ; OPINIONS EXKRES3ED BY OTTB \ COBBESPOND'-JNTS. . . I- •■' : ■ '■ •.•.; /•;»'•' "■: "■ ' : -" '";.,; i (to the editob of the southland times.) , • Sib, — I. hope that Mr Cijthbertson ' ;was sincere this evening in Ids amendment upon the resolution brought' forward by Mr ATmstrdn'g; to 1 finish the jWinton Bail-way '; ancl ' that the course ! he has adopted, was not, as I have heard isoine say, a mere movement to obtain 'delay, in order/ that by the arrival of one or two. more squatters, ; he might i effect an adverse decision by vote. -If Mr C. chooses "to make" this great ! question a question of squatter interest [versus, public good, and ' certainly .hisImovement seems like it, surely he will have nobody but himself to thank for any 'criticism he may afterwards receive. That the immediate" advancement of the farming, the mercantile, and the great general interest depends , upon the opening up of the province, by the completion of the one line, and undertaking of the other, is a truth so simple and so ■■plain', that" I think I may be pardoned for taking this notice of Mr C's suspicious—to say the least of it— movement." I have the honor &c-., . Chas. D. Ibyhte. P.S.-r-'Will Mr C. if he is sincere in his intentieH to oppose, condescend to answer the apology of Alpha ? May 28, 1867.

(TO THE BDITOB OB THE SOTJTHiAKD TIMES.) 1 Mb Editob;— l read a letter signed "Alpha," in your valuable columns; I should exceedingly regret, were I a man of political power, to follow that gentlei man's advice. We have already expended too much money on public works, and • the returns will scarcely pay interest ; if we should go on as "Alpha" asks us, ruin, I am afraid, would be Southland's share. In every Province of the colony there. are a few wide-awake men who suggest bold enterprises, heedless as to ' the burden that is brought about upon the hard-working man* "Alpha" wants a Kail way East. One question-— has he property in that direction, or is he a speculator hard up ? It is natural enough to suppose so ; let " Alpha" look at the dreadful high duty on all imported goods. "What ! does he still want us to be in greater bondage ? The high. price of goods in our market is almost intolerable. Do not, Mr Editor, as you have great influence on the public mind, let us be beguiled by a few ambitious schemers ; there were too many ot them in power some three years ago ; as a nuisance they are almost gone. Wow "Alpha" is not at all a sound Grladstonian reasoner — he brings to our notice the Railways of England and America. If Railways pay in those countries, is that a proof that they will pay^ here ? Jkefc us make a comparison : —England, with her 30,000,000 .; America, 36,000,000. Is a Bail way to pay here, with . a population; .of. about 20,000 ? .'No,' it cannot till we have fifty ;times that number. "Were we to spend more money, as "Alpha" would have ius, instead of population increasing I rather think that there would be a decrease, The present debt is as much as we can. even partly bear,; we want no 'heavier. Let us spend economically, not .extravagantly. The Railway in New i South ' Wales does not pay ; I do not •think there is a return in Victoria either, and Pam confident -this Railway of ours will not. I remain yours faithfully, ■ >:..• V . '•■ ■•.:--.. ■;:•■■:■■.■ ■■: ■.■ -'■ Justice. : [Our correspqndent is in error with iregard to the population of the province, ilnstead of 20,000, 0,000 would be nearer ithem^rk,-^.^^]^. s ,^:^; -, y , r7 .