The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1898.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 376, 6 December 1898, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1898.

It will bo seen by a report in another column that a deputation waited upon the Premier in Auckland in reference to the route of the Main Trunk Line, they urged the Stratford route upon him. Mr Seddon took up the position of having an open mind on the matter, and stated that be would bo guided by further reports on the merits of the different routes, included in which would be one as to the routo from Te Kuiti to Waitara. He urged that there was no immediate hurry, as £IOO,OOO would be required to complete the railway from the tunnel to the point of divergence. As the law stands at present the line can only go by tho Central route. Ho purposed, however, when opportunity offered to go over the Stratford route and judge for himself. One of the deputation pointed out that it was impossible to complete the line in question, and other unfinished public works, out of current revenue. Another is reported to have said tho supporters of the Stratford route, the people, are pledged to a loan of £3,000,000 if necessary. This statement is somewhat after the example of tho three celebrated cockney tailors. The Premier in touching on this branch of the subject, said that tho whole thing was a matter of £.s.d., but would not admit that the Government was prepared to go in for a borrowing policy ; but would be perfectly willing to supplement revenue by substantial " aids to public works." This, to our mind, is the correct policy to be pursued. It is simple nonsense to talk in

the strain which Mr Golclie, the Mayor-elect of Auckland, adopted. He cordially supported the deputation in asking for the completion of the railway, provided there was no loan. The Premier's allusion to the Poro-o-t;»rao Tunnel affords a strong argument for the completion ©f the line at as earlv a date as possible. This tunnel, on which £60,000 has been spent, is at present valueless, and the country has been paying interest on this outlay for some years, as it is still on the cost of many disjointed sections of railway throughout the colony. Surely it is better that the lines should be completed by borrowing the necessary funds. Every year that a line remains partially completed adds to the eventual cost. The interest goes on and the earnings are nil, whether calculated in cash or development of the country. Ministers have always more calls upon them than they can satisfy, and it is only natural that they should first satisfy those calculated to secure to them the greatest measure of i)olitical support. The Premier has an " open mind " as to the route the Trunk Hue shall follow, and he would not be a political tactician did he not keep his mind in that state, so long as the voting power to be influenced is about equally divided. The Premier very properly gave the "Fire Bell" agitators a reproof which should, if properly masticated, prove to them a wholesome political lesson. It will be remembered that these noisy ipeople passed resolutions threatening members and Ministers with political extinction if the railway did not go to Stratford. Mr Seddon told them that if Ministers were to be upheld or fall on a question of a railway route, it was time to resign. It is an infinite pity that men who take such a narrow and sordid view of their political responsibilities should be endowed with the power to influence the destinies of their country. A voter with only one article of political faith is one of the most daugerou3 citizens of a free country.