THE VAILE SYSTEM.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2341, 12 July 1887, Page 3

THE VAILE SYSTEM.

TO THE EDITOR. Sin,—l observe from your issue of to-day that in addressing his Cambridge supporters, it is reported that .Mr Whyte “ drew attention to the fact that Mr Russell had inserted a saving clause in his address that would enable him (if elected) to go to Parliament equally as unpledged to the Vaile scheme as he (Mr Whyte) would be.” Sir, if Mr Whyte used words which boro that meaning, I can only describe his action as most unjust and unfair. In My address at Hamilton I gave the clearest adhesion to Vaile’s system in all its essential features, and pledge! myself to do my best to secure for it a fair trial. I’cnmt mo to add the report oi what I said;—“lt was not necessary that he should go over the whole of the ground in regard to Vaile’s system. That matter had been threshed out, but, standing there as a candidate, ho declared his acceptance of that system in all its essential features, as a sound system which would promote settlement, increase the value of country lands, create inland towns, lesson poverty, and withal prove a financial success and return revenue. He wished to be perfectly explicit upun this point, but at the same time ho was not going to bind himself to every detail of Mr Vailo’s scheme. There were some features, such, for instance, as the inter-Waikato -Id and (id fares, which he did not approve of, but lie thoroughly believed in the stage system, and would do his utmost to have it carried out in all its essential features.” The above is as clear a pledge as I could give, and I hardly think any man of reason

would ask mo to say more. Indeed, later on I said:—"l regarded tins matter of such iiaranmnnt imimrlanco to the district tiiat 1 would support no (loveciiment and no party which would not rectify tin: abuses of the railway management and give reform.'' Now, sir, what is Mr Whyte's position? Not only did he write a series of letters against Vaile's scheme in your journal, with the intention of killing it, but he closed up that senes with the following in your issue of April 9;—“lt of course is now manifest that T cannot support the adoption of a ‘scheme’ which I am certain must . result in a soriovis loss to the revenue, and is in itself impracticable. If 1 had the slightest doubt of this I would give the scheme the benefit of that doubt, but 1 have absolutely none.” That establishes Mr Whyte’s position clearly, and he added that if a majority of the electors thought Vale’s scheme of such importance as to override all other considerations, ho would retire. (I am piloting from memory.) It will thus be seen that on his past actions, and his writings, Mr Whyte is pinged to continue his violent opposition to Valle’s scheme. 1, on the other hand, are equally on my past actions and writings, pledged to support it with all the energy and ability 1 am able, and that pledge f will loyally carry out. The mere reservation 1 made as to details of that scheme was only what any man would make who was determined to preserve his individuality, and it is trying to catch the electors with chaff for Mr Whyte to try and make them believe that if 1 went to Parliament I should be no more pledged to Vaile's scheme than himself.— Vours faithfully, 0. W. Kusskll. Kangiriri, July 7, 1887.