CORRESPONDENCE.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15752, 20 November 1916, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE.

! DRIFT TO THE NORTH: 10 TIIK editor or ''THE lUIK.SS.'' >.ir, —The. statement by tho -Minister <u iutornal Affairs and his, comments upon the current of population setting in to the North Island are something that those who have watched events have been prepared for. The stalwart 1-olitieians of the North have been too many for the pigmies of the &outh. Sir Grov began tho diplomatic work which at one time combined Auckland and Otago against Canterbury, and thereby flayed the game lor the North. If tho list of Premiers is looked into it will be seen that the balance of power in the Ministry for thirty-live years has been in favour of tho North" Island. It has largely benefited in railways, harbours, roads, and public works "by the influence of the North Island representatives. Except the Hon. 11. J. Seddon, who could, perhaps, only see the need for public works oa the West Coast, there has been a steady "pulP going on in favour of the North Island. Even last session the South Island, which lias required that under ail agreement made in ISO 7 for a harbour to North Canterbury was turned down in the most flippant off-hand manner, and Canterbury members seemed to chuckle over the fact that by pitching an apple of discord into the question the House was relieved of any responsibility/" to the South, and could give more attention to the North. The Nelson mineral deposits,' which the Minister of Internal Affairs holds up liUe a bunch of carrots as a reason whv the Soyth should exert itself to tackle the question of the ' drift to the North'' on broad lines long ago the Nelson mineral deposits should have received the attention which, had those deposits been in Auckland in plaoo of Nelson, they would have received. The making of railways in the North compares markedly in contrast with the piecemeal work of the same kind in the South. The question of roads shows how much is lost to the South. Island. Last week the Alinister-in-Charge of that branch of works was' tourinir the South to find out how many

roads could bo stalled off lor a time, which would not bo tolerated in the North. It has been a common cause of complaint that Canterbury members of the House have lacked combination and aggressive force to insist on the completion of the public services of both Canterbury and the South Island. At lost, it is conclusively proved by the Hon. G. W. RiiisfeH that inerlia has produced, namely a flourishing North Island and ;i decadent South Tsland. It is perhaps not possible that those members who have been elected tor Canterbury will blush witli shame, but when they again meet their constituents the latter will not be cajoled -into tolerating the extension of the don't-care, soft, go-easy style in theiProvince of No Go.—Yours, etc.. I ELECTOR.

Stuck up on the roadside miles from anywhere with an engine that siniplj won't rcrst will bo that ynvi didn't faitnfuliv read the '".Motor Notes" by "Catnshjjf* '' in Saturday's "l'veninii News" Always full of valuable hints and interesting news. 4