The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1891. OTAGO CENTRAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2208, 30 May 1891, Page 2

The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1891. OTAGO CENTRAL.

The Hoh. Me Sbddoh had a good deal of fun in Dunedin a few days ago at the expense of local celebrities. No sooner did be arrive there than be was besieged by a deputation from the Chamber of Commerce, with the mayor at its head, to urge upon him necessity of constructing the Otago Central Railway. The verdant Mr Fyke was there, with tbe redoubtable Mr Scobie Mackenzie, the Hon, Mr Reynolds, the Hon, Downie Stewart, as well as the present members of Parliament for tbe city and suburbs, and they talked long and loud on this great colonial work, as they were pleased to designate it. In this respect they were not peculiar. The greatest job, and tbe most thoroughbred political railway which has been made in this colony, was a great colonial work in the opinion of its advocates when urging its claims on past Ministers of Public Works. Mr Scobie Mackenzie said that £560,000 had already been spent on the Otago Central line, but that that was no good unless it was carried further. There was £60,000 of the money allocated for this purpose still unspent, and in all fairness they ought to get that amount. The Hon. Mr Reynolds said that £BOO,OOO of tbe money borrowed for that line had been spent by the Atkinson Government elsewhere, and then the illustrious Mr Pish got on his feet to defend the Atkiusonians. The Atkmsonians triad to make the line in 1889, be said, hut their opponents would not let them do so. Then wool statistics and terribly astounding facts were burled at the ministerial head of the Honorable Mr Seddon, while ha sat placidly listening. At last he spoke, and to" tbe confusion of all he had prepared himself for the occasion with official statistics, that proved how wild and illusive were the speculations of tbe local friends of the proposed line. He showed, from official documents, that instead of £60,000 being to the credit of the line, as Mr Mackenzie stated, only the small sum of £B6 had been left. Then he proceeded to show that the cause of the railway being neglected was the fact that Otago members had never agreed among themselves about it, aad now not anyone of those present had any new scheme to show how it could be constructed. He reminded them of tbe many Otago ministers they had m previous Cabinets, and what had they done P Nothing, andjnow they wanted the present Government to do the work. They told the Government they must not borrow, they must-not use the windfall derived from the loan conversions, and they must not fritter away the surplus of revenue. Where did they expect the money to come from. He read an article from the Otago Daily Times, in which the Government were warned that to use the windfall from loan would be further borrowing, and be asked them, if the Government could not borrow nor use the surplus, how the line could be made! The hon. gentleman struck the nail on the head there. The scream from all parts of the colony has been “No more borrowing,” and yet the demand for railways is as urgent as ever. One cannot help feeling astonished at men like Mr Scobie Mackenzie screaming in one breath ”No more borrowing,” and in tbe next ” Make the Otago Central Railway.” It is really a ridiculous position to occupy. It is asking the Government to make bricks without straw. Mr Seddou told them he would not make any promise until he delivered his statement in Parliament, and this did not please them. They appeared to think that, money or no money, the work ought to go on at once.