The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1767, 1 November 1883, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal rind c\.i(t justice to all men, Ot whatsoever sUito or perbiwiMon, religious or political. Here sh.ill tlie Press the People's rifrh^ nuintain, Un.nved by influence .md unbnbfd by K-un.

THURSDAY, NOV. 1, 188 J.

The interview between the lion, the < Premier and the members of the : Auckland Chamber of Commerce , was a satisfactory one in a double .sense. It disclosed the fact that the > people of this province, taken as a ' whole, are in favour of the Taranaki route for the North Island Trunk Railway, and it also aftbrdokl Major Atkinson an opportunity of expressing the determination of the Government to permit no unnecessary delay to take place in completing the preliminary surveys. On the question of route, notwithstanding the strongly expressed opinions of the members of the Chamber, and notwithstanding also the Premier's own predilections in favour of the Te Awanmtu-Waitara line, Major Atkinson said nothing that could bind either his colleagues or himself. The question of route must of eouise be determined by the highest poKsible considerations. The Government are bound to give precedence to that which can be shown to offer the bpsfc leturn upon the expenditure. In the present condition of our finances we can ill afford to make experiments in railway construction, and our future Public Works policy mu»t be directed by the sternest business principles. We do not fear that the Tarauaki line will fail to fulfil the conditions requisite to give it the preference over all others; and knowing lhat in addition to its own inherent fitaefis, it is popular with the great majority of those primarily interested, w,e can afford to await without apprehension (the ultimate decision of the Cabinet frnd the House. One or two <©t&ep matters were brought under tfa,e H/jtjiee of the Premier, which, while they do not possess the same interest as the trunk railway naturally attracts to itself, are nevertheless, of ,injich^ more than -pasjpg: ijnpor^|cj^|

These ate tho proposed construction of a duplicate lino between Ponrose and Auckland, the transport of live stock from Waikato to Auckland, and the iron era I question of the facilities and comforts provided on the Auckland railways, as compared wi',h the linns in the South Tsland. Regarding tho fii\st subject, the duplication of the line from Penrose, the Premier said a preliminary survey of the route via Tamaki was being made ; hut concerning f.he two latter, all he could promise to do was to consult with ihe. Minister for Public Works. Mr Firth, who was recently in the South, and has had excellent opportunities of comparing the merits of the respective railway sj stems of the North and South, spoke strongly in favour of extending to Auckland the advantages enjoyed by the peoplo of Canterbury and Otago, and the Premier at once acknowledged tho justice of the claim put forward. Let us hope this acknowledgement will be followed by a speedy removal of the many disabilities under which we labour. On the question of the carriage of live stock, we have already had our say, and we feel sure that another session will not be allowed to pass before a change for the better is effected. On the same day a deputation, introduced by the member for Waipa, waited on the Premier respecting the .Raglan road, and received an assurance that the vote of £500 would be applied at once if funds were available. Altogether, we think the visit of the Premier to the Northern metropolis will be productive of much good to this part of tho colony. Major Atkinson believes that it is the duty of Ministers to travel about a great deal more than they have been wont to do, and he evidently intends to put his principle into practice.