THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1911. THE TAUPO RAILWAY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10402, 24 August 1911, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1911. THE TAUPO RAILWAY.

A few dayiS ihdek a circular letter, issued iby the Rotorua Chiamher of Commerce, was published in 'the "Age," in reference to a proposal to iform a company to take over the rail' way interests of the Taupo Totara Timber Company, to establish a isenger traffic, and to eventually sell to the Government. The ißotorua Chamber, although, possibly, inspired by .selfish motives, had every right to point to the grave abuses which might arise iby the granting of special (Oanoessdons to a .private company, and the hardships which •might be imposed upon the travelling public Iby the operation's of a moneyimiaking comlbination. As an inistanioe, the Rotorua people point to! the fact that the proposed order4n-' Council will allow for freight charges 50 per cent, higher than the. Govei'nj ment rate It is W Mswei' fe the affirmation of a violatio.n of public policy in the interests of private speculators that the proposed work would .open up a large area of thermal 'derailtry. That plea has ineffectually .been raised in regard to the unsavoury Mokau transaction. If the eonistfuction of a railway through the thermal regions to Taupo would prove 'a profitable undertaking for a private Company, it would prove similarly profitable for the Government, and there is oia igood reason why'the national interests l should be sacrificed for those of any combination, of individuals. There is reason to think 'that, had the Rotorua Chaiiniber of Commerce not made a public protest, the whole transaction ■would have been put through, and the public would have been informed, of the facts when it was too late. It is reported that certain members of Parliament are interested in the Taupo Company, and that purchases of land have been made by those "in the know" along the route of the proposed railway. This affords a greater reason for vigilance on the [ part of the public, and for a careful •review of the whole position iby the

representatives of tlie people. The system of "graft," which' is exercising so potent ail influence upon the public life of America, must not be allowed to get .a hold upon the-insti-tutions of this Dominion. It is therefore necessary .that clean-handed public men should be constantly on the watch.