The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1891.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2965, 16 July 1891, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1891.

Eqiral ami exart justice to all men, Ot whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

j Tine stops Mr J'ees and the other Auckland Members are now hiking in the House of Representatives to obtain a trial of Mr Vaile's Railway System possesses a groat deal of interest to Waikato settlers, many of whom liave been strong supporters of Mr Vaile in his attempt to bring about a change of the present system, which, put tersely, penalises a settler for each mile he resides distant trom his market or port. Mr Vaile has kept his ideas upon this subject pretty constantly before the public, and every day adds to the number of those who look with favour upon a change in the direction indicated by him. We scarcely think, however, that his most ardent supporters are so sanguine as the originator that a great financial success would be achieved ; but they do recognise that tlu; policy underlying the system is sound. Many alsocontend that the principle, should bo applied to freights, more particularly as regards agricultural produce and manures, rather than to the passenger trallic, and if so, that it would find more general favour and acceptation. Mr Yaile, whilst not. overlooking this part of the business, has hitherto been persistent in arguing that the change must be. tirst brought to bear upon the passenger traffic, and he has had probably good reasons foe arguing this view of the ease. In a letter of his, however, which appeared in the Herald of June 18th. the following remarks appear, which show that the full significance of a change in this direction is necessary, and that he realises this in its fullest sense, if the colony is expected to progress. This is what lie says : —

l>r Campbell undoubtedly spoko the truth lie said tu una ot your staff,

■'Then' is only one remedy.'' (for the exodus) " and that is the occupation of the country by husbandmen." No greater truth was over uttered, and until we make the conditions such that people can settle on the 1,-in.l with a certain prospect of protit tiud uuiufurt to Itheuiaulves wb may stjtjk

iii v;tin to bring hick prosperity to this e .out i y, or to .stay the outflow of our popnla-

Mi' \ r ;iil(> then goos oil to illustrate by diagrams whilt wo 11: lvo urged "ii many previous occasions, that undor tiu> prosout system of churgos for carrying produco, at a curtain distntico t'roiu tlio port, production must cease, from the simple fact that tho cbargo for carriage .swallows up all tho profits of the husbandman. Tho difficulty which stands iu tho way of any audi radical chungo as proposod, and this wo havo also pointod out, is tho very important question of revenue. Our railways aro looked to, to produce certain returns, and to more effectually bring this about Railway Commissioners were appointed some three years ago, with that main object in vie,v. Tho question, therefore, which we have to faco is simple, Can we afford, iu tho meantime, to wait for the indirect effect that such a change would bring about in the increase of production, of population and settlement of our waste lands ? If we can, there should bo no hesitation in offectiug the change. But herein lies tho difficulty, and this is certain to present itself to tho minds of those who advocate the change, and as certain will be made the most of by the opponents of such a measure. If the time is ripe and the public are prepared to make tho sacrifice, there is a method at hand that _ can bo adopted, and to our minds, one which presents the fewest difficulties, and it will have another advantage, it will test the sincerity of some of those members now supporting Mr Reos in this matter, as the adoption of the course we propose would put an effective stop to many items of public expenditure, now looked forward to by those membors, to be provided for out of the surplus falling into the hands of the present Govornment. In tho course of some remarks the other day, the Minister of Public Works is reported to have stated, that after making provision for ccrtain contingoncios, there would bo a balance of £1 GO,OOO for expenditure on public works. Now, hero is a fund available. Why not use this 1 Hand it over to the Railway Commissioners with instructions to apply it during the balance of their term of ofKee in the direction of reducing freights on produce on long distances. Such a course would relieve the Government from a great dilemma. A trial of Vaile's scheme is scarcely likely to be granted, and it is equally certain that any attempt to repeal the Act appointing the Railway Commissioners would fail. Some good results, at any rate, will ensue, whatever course may eventually be decided upon. Attention will be directed to this question of transit, and when the general public realise the effect it has upon our national development, some important modifications in this direction will as suroly be demanded.