THE RAILWAY QUESTION.

Southland Times, Issue 693, 8 July 1867, Page 2

THE RAILWAY QUESTION.

(TO THE EDITOE OF THE SO UTHLAITD TIMES.) --.] Sib, — I presume it may be taken for granted that the dissolution of the Provincial Council will be sanctioned by the Oovernor, and that we are on the eve of a general election. This is my excuse for troubling you with this communication. This is the time when everyone interested in- the advancement of the Province should act withy determination. It is evident that, as a.community we have retrograded during Hfche last few years, arid that it is high time the question was asked, " where are we drifting ? " Is it not a fact, nearly every person raves 7against the G-overnment, . whoever they may be, but is content to leave the burden of legislation upon any shoulders rather than his own. Is it not a fact that the few public institutions we have are not appreciated — -that tt© most important are looked upon with a leaden indifference, trie most paralysing ! Have not the recent elections proved that no general interest is felt in the selection of legislators, that seats have been secured by incompetent and vain men without a contest; that the best interests of the country has been sacrificed at the shrine of selfishness and. misdirected ambition? . I think that no man could answer these questions, other than in the affirmative. .',... Whence arises this lamentable state of affairs? All profess a desire that* this province should be a model- of good Government, progress, and prosperity, but few will put their shoulders to the wheel to secure it. The present crisis demands from the people a larger measure of thorough political activity than has yet been displayed. I have read your remarks upon the railways, the Consolidated Loans Act, and other subjects. The conclusion I have arrived at is that Southland, and the other • small indebted provinces are doomed to be extinguished ; that the next session of the Council may terminate Southland's existence as a province. I think that this would be a benefit rather than an evil, provided such terms were secured as would ensure for the province the carrying out of public works — the opening up of the country fbr settlement—and a modified system of self-government. It will be tfie duty of rfche new-Council to secure these. The G-eneral G-oyernment, 'while-evincing a determination to extinguish Provincialism, are disposed to treat liberally tho/se small provinces who avail themselves of the offer. As far as Southland is concerned the offer of 210,000 acres for the extension of railway communication, proves this, but the procrastination in the. acceptance of the offer may prove fatal, to the hope of obtaining anything • it .may lead tp the extinction of the province, the withdrawal of all the land and ordinary revenue, and leave the place in a state of commercial difficulty far greater than; has, yet been experienced. Under these cirumstances, the selection of members of the Council is important in an extent that cannot be estimated. The apathy hitherto displayed must be overcome. Let the people now be up and doing, and bring . into the field men of talent — men with large and comprehensive minds who can take a Colonial as well as a Provincial view of matters politic, '. pledged to carry out the proposed system of up-country communication, and capable of gaining all the advantages for the province possible before the Provincial system becomes a thing of .the past. If this is done the death knell of Provincialism, will not be an unwelcome sound. Tours &c, ' ' ' OVEBLAKDER. 4th July, 1867. /