THE Manawatu Times. WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 1881. A MINISTRY OF RETREATS.

Manawatu Times, Volume V, Issue 148, 6 July 1881, Page 2

THE Manawatu Times.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 1881. A MINIST RY OF RETREATS.

" Words nre things, and a drop of ink falling like dew upon a uhouglit.-procluccs that which makes thousands, perhaps millions. think."

Those who have watched the career of the Ministry of Retreats and socalled Retrenchment, will, in all honesty,. be bound toadmit that its legislative aetioYAis'by no means a progressive one. During last Session some of the most important measures which* were in the Ministerial programme,- . were cunningly shelved from day to day 'until their introduction was too late, ; and they yet remain in the womb of futurity : The policy of last, appears to be tlie policy of this Session— the only aim : being to stave off; the : evil day, so as to keep' possession of the Treasury Benches.. In the House on "Wednes-; day last, Mr. Hursthotise brought up the very important matter of nonpaying railways,' and iu doing so moved the; following resolution- — " That in the opinion of this House, those, districts: .through which Government railways have been constructed, or; are ;being constructed, should be rated to pay the difference (between the working expenses, including interest on the cost of construction, and receipts from such I railways." The mover in an' able speech dilated at great length upon the justice of liis motion. Sir George Geey while thoroughly agreeing with the gravity of th,e matter, contended that it would be much better that it should not be dealt with until after the delivery of the Financial Statement. He was followed by the Premier, and thdse who know" Mr. Hall's specious, plausible manner, could not have been surprised upon reading his remarks. It was a most studied, attempt to smile on both sides of the House, but this time the bait did not take, and upon dividing upon two questions the G-overnment were beaten by large majorities. Of course as it was not a Ministerial measure the ignominy of defeat is very : considerably lessened ; still " straws serve to show the direction of the wind," and "rats desert a sinking ship," and the exhibition of the division-lists is even more than suggestive. Considering there will be a general election at the close 6i this Session, we think it very unlikely — unless something extraordinary crops up— that the Government will 'lose' their place "and pay, but the defection of so many of their followers* even upon minor matters, fordsha--1 dims very strongly that their allegiance need not be looked for in the ..future, when itlioso or'; more import are in the. scale; .Reverting back to Mr. lluitsTiiriusE's« resolution, we are.not. .prepared to accept it in its integrity. We have always maintained";: that when : 'a r Iproposeil line would pass through ' land lit for settleuient, whether it would pay i m mediately . upon> construction, should not ib.e the only question for consideration. -•-> There are thousands of acres — notably on tho route of the proposed' "West Coast Railway — - which -would pay on sale a large bo-' . iius to -the'Goverinnent on the cost of construction. On the other hand, there are not a few lines which have been theoutcome of the most shameful political jobbery, and certainly the resolution: -'"proposed would be quite su.iUh.lo in such cases. '