The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1867.

Southland Times, Issue 703, 31 July 1867, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1867.

Railways or no Railways — progress or ! retrogression has become the question of the day. So strong is public feeling upon this subject that even the boldest agents of the obstructionists, in their efforts to defend the course that has been taken, wriggle and twist, blow hot and blow cold, but as yet have not advanced one single argument that can be received as a mitigation of the conduct of the present G-overnment on the Railway question. There is such a mass of evidence as to the part the squatting members took in the rejection of the railway resolutions, and consequently the formation of a new G-overnment, that it seems almost folly to take notice of the denials that have been made by members of the G-overnment — denials so transparently flimsy as to be at once seen through. Mr Lumsden failed to clear away a single one of the charges that now cluster round the present G-overnment of having gained ofiice through gross inconsistency, and an alliance with the avowed strongest opponents of the railway scheme. At the meeting on Eriday, while pretending a desire to prove that he was the chief supporter of the railway system, he simply retailed the small sayings of his " natural chief," Dr Menzies. When the railway resolutions were brought before the Council, the leader of the anti-railway scheme, Dr Menzies, did not boldly oppose them. No ; that would not have done. His party was not sufficiently numerous to work single-handed the mischief they contemplated; hence the arguments that were advanced in favor of delaying all action until the consolidation ol Loans Act was passed. Tbis gentleman when he adopted thafc style of debate knew that he was soothing down the spirit of antagonism that had been displayed on the previous night by his hitherto obedient followers, in order the better to throw dust in their eyes, and at the sametime execute the will of his squatting friends. He knew with or without a consolidation of Loans Act that Southland could not borrow — that unless the offer of the General Government was taken no railways could be constructed, and the occupiers of the Crown Lands would get a fresh tenure of their runs. The Lyttelton Times, one ofthe most influential journals in New Zealand, corroborates our arguments as to the position the province is placed to the General Government. In an article upon the revenue of the provinces it says : — " It is necessary to remark, in regard to the foregoing table, that Southland, which is credited with a territorial revenue of £144,505, has pledged all its land fund to the G-eneral G-overnment in consideration of the latter taking the responsibility of its debts. Southland has now no land fund which it can call its own. It is simply a pensioner on the bounty of the G-eneral Government." Ajid yet when that Government offered us 210,000 acres to make railways that would be of- permanent value to the Province, the offer was not difinitely accepted owing to the action taken by Dr Menzies and Ltjmsden & Co. Is it possible that anyone who knew the position of Southland to be such as is here described could have thown cold water on the General Government's proposals unless he had a design or some end to gain ? No ! Dr Menzies did know the deplorable condition of the Province — a condition that he was mainly instrumental in placing it whilst Superintendent. He had an end to gain, viz.: — to throw dust in the eyes of his foolish partizans and promote the interests of his class. Yet this is the divinity at whose feet the LuMSfDENiTES worship — the man they would elevate to the highest post of honor in the Province. Let us say at once that if he is elected Superintendent, it is our firm belief that the Province will simply be rained. It is denied by the present Government that the amendment to Mr Blackiock's resolutions, moved by Mr Clebke, has delayed the railway scheme. We maintain it has — that to a great extent it has shelved the question, inasmuch as it did not specify any definite acreage as the resolutions did ; the matter has been referred again to the Council, and should the squatting element predominate ia the

next Council or gentlemen holding opinions similar to Messrs Lumsden",. Eoss & Co. be elected, it is almost certain that the railways will be shelved altogether. This was the cardinal object in seeking a dissolution of the Council. This was one of the traps into which Lumsden & Co. fell. They could not see that they were simply being made tools of by cleverer men. If the next Council decides against railways there will be no further hope under Mr Clebke's resolution, as the G-eneral G-overnment could only act by issuing a debenture under tbe Southland Debt Act, a course that can hardly be expected to be pursued. If, therefore, the railway scheme is lost in the next session of tbe Council, Messrs , Lumsden and Co. will bave mainly contributed to it. What use is there entering into surveys and contracts when the Grovernment could not know wbetber the land would have been appropriated ; it would be only a waste of money. Under "tbe 36tb Clause of the Land Eegulations the Superintendent could dispose of 1000 acres of land in one year without asking the Council. In entering into 'a contract for small works the G-overnment knew they could pay ; but' as to railways, it required a specific vote of the Council, and this was not obtained. Mr Lumsden, • bowever, bas carefully avoided saying what be and his ■■ associates have done since they have been in office, further than accepting the estimates of their predecessors, (in whom by-the-by they had no confidence.) The only important work left for the present Executive to do was the settlement of a liability of the G-overnment with one of the Banks ; yet when the Inspector invited an interview, they refused point blank to meet him. That they had doubts of their own capacity to cope with a Bank Inspector is only natural ; they might, however, at any rate have granted an interview, seen, heard and said nothing, and thus have sustained the rules of courtesy. As a last resource they could have obtained the assistance of the Accountant in the Treasury. That gentleman could have transacted all the business necessary, and have maintained . the character of the Province for gentlemanly conduct. The result is that further delay will occur before the Bank will come under the Debt Act. The Inspector will naturally make the most of so gross an act of discourtesy, avill inform the Colonial Secretary of the circumstances, who will have a strange impression of the capacity and politeness of the Executive of Southland — a discourtesy the most censurable, aud a disgrace to the Province.