THE DUTIES OF GOVERNMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 441, 16 March 1875, Page 2

THE DUTIES OF GOVERNMENT.

In new countries strong ideas prevail as to the duties of Government. Not only is the Government expected to perform the functions ordinarily in its hands, but it has to exercise the calling of earners, and insurance companies, while many contend that the business of Banks and South Sea companies should be added to its responsibilities and cares. In fact, whenever there is a want everybody appeals for State aid in some shape or other. While this to a great extent is unavoidable, and in a new country it is difficult to draw the line, it is necessary that the line should be drawn somewhere There are many things which the State ought not to be called upon to do, and which ought to be cleirly recognised by the verdict of public opinion If the Government was less " paternal " in its dealings with the people, the latter would be more self-reliant. The Otagans are showing where they think the line should be drawn in the matter of railways. In their opinion, the government should confine itself to the trunk lines, while private enterprise should take charge of the branches. This they have shewn very practically. . The Peninsula and Ocean Beach Company had no difficulty in getting together the capital they wanted, their line has been surveyed, and is in course of formation at the present moment with every expectation of completion before next race time, early in March. Then thei*e are branch lines projected or in course of construction, at Kaitangata and Catlins river, by companies already formed, and the news is just to hand that the Outram Branch Company has just been very successfully formed. Nearly double the amount of the requisite capital was applied for. The line will be commenced immediately after harvest, and two contracts have already been let. Amongst the settlers interested in thia work there were two opinions as to the position of the projected branch line, and both parties sent deputations to the Superintendent. Each of these urged him to get the line commenced at once, at the Government expense, and in the direction the deputation required. The gist of the a'iswer they got was that the Government were not in a position to make the line, and if the settlers wanted it they had much better make it themselves. Instead of grumbling and growlin» after the usual colonial fashion, th^se men have taken the Superintendent's advice, with the result mentioned aU)ve. Tuis lists noFbeen always so in that province, as at lfcdst one branch Railway has been made by the

branch lines, and the latter do notjbeutatfe about doing it. It would be a great matter if all the provinces would follow this excellent lead, and relegate their branch railways to private enterprise. The resources at the State's disposal would be concentrated on the completion of the great trunk lines, «nd there would be no frittering away of public money on branches, the applicants for which do n«£ < see their way to making them profitable. — Lytieltif^ Times.