The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, NOVBMBER 2, 1885. THE NORTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY LOAN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2135, 2 November 1885, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, NOVBMBER 2, 1885. THE NORTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY LOAN.

The Auckland Chamber of Commerce lias lost 110 time in considering the letter of the Colonial Treasurer containing the assertion that the North Island Trunk Railway loan was to be raised at once and spent for general purposes, A number of members of Parliament were present, among them being several who had voted against Captain Russkll's motion to reduce the Public Works vote Jby £900,000. The meeting was most unanimous, and some of the members expressed themselves to the effect that ample funds had been voted to carry out the works authorised, Mr Mitchelson, Minister of Public Works under the Atkinson administration, and who should be an authority on the subject, but was not present, telegraphed as follows " Regret being unable to be present at meeting to-day. Protest against proposed action of Government. Dishonest attempt to punish Auckland and Wellington, As one of those who voted for reductions, I emphatically deny statements and insinuations of Vogel. Ample funds available to carry out votes of House. Action is therefore necessary. Further unauthorised expenditure upon defence or other works unwarranted and unjustifiable, Parliament should he called together earlier than usual to decide the question of misappropriation." All the nmmlmrs of the House present agreed with Mr Mjtchf.lson's views, and one of them, Mr Hops, said he believed that the Government's proposed action was simply am sftet-

thought, designed for political purposes, It was resolved " that the Chamber emphatically protests Against the intention of Government to negotiate the North Island Main Trunk Railway one million loan in April next with the avowed object of diverting it to other works than those which the Act specified"; also, " that the raising of an additional loan for general purposes is unnecessary as well as unjustifiable, and that from statements submitted to the House, there are sufficient funds provided to carry out the works authorised by Parliament until the House meets." The Auckland members of the House and the Chamber of Commerco are to be congratulated upon the position they have taken up. The move on the part of tho Government is undoubtedly not one of necessity, but one of policy. The two-fold object is to' punish Wellington and Auckland, and to buy support by the expenditure of money on unauthorised works, Whether that object will be gained seems extremely doubtful. We are inclined to think that Sir Julius Yogel has reckoned without his host. In order to bo on the safe side it would, however, be advisable if the Wellington members took some united action, nor would the Wellington Chamber of Commerce do amiss if it considered the question at a special meeting.