WEDNESDAY, JANUAEY 12, 1881.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 9, 12 January 1881, Page 2

WEDNESDAY, JANUAEY 12, 1881.

THE WEST COAST RAILWAY MEETING. _? Ohx more opportunity now remains to the people of Wellington to prove that they are really in earnest in their professions of faith in the West Coast Railway, and.are prepared to " show forth their faith by their wtfrku." We entirely agree with Mr. Lbvi w in his view that it is desirable to ascertain definitely how much there really is in the "street corner talk" on the subject, whiyh for many months past has been so loud, so confident, and so persistent. It would be utterly idle to continue the agitation in this matter if those who have talked so " big" about the excellent paying prospects of this line, and the imperative necessity for its immediate construction, were to collapse like a punctured bladder directly they were asked to give practical proof of their sincerity by doing their share towards the advancement of the project. We earnestly trust that no such fiasco as this is impending in regard to a matter of such vital importance to the city and district, as well as to the Colony at large. Still there is no use in disguising the fact that unless there is a much larger attendance at the adjc orned meeting on the 21st inst. than there was at that of yesterday afternoon, the prospects of success will look very gloomy indeed. The present case is peculiarity one of those in whioh " Heaven helps those who help themselves," in whioh we must put our own shoulders to the wheel, and not content ourselves with standing idly by, and calling on Jove to come to our aid. It is quite true that this railway has been deliberately sanctioned by Parliament, and placed permanently on the list of legislatively authorised railways ; several votes of money wore passed for its construction, and the work was actually commenced. It is equally true that this gives us a strong moral claim to the recognition and prosecution of the line, so soon as "the - requisite ' funds ¦ shall be obtainable. We have always strenuonsly contended that it is not fair to place this main trunk line in the same category as the new branches proposed in the South Island, because it stands to reason that a main trunk line, especially in this island where there is none yet complete, is clearly entitled to precedence over merebranches and extensions in the South Island, .where the main trunk lines have been completed. _We have maintained throughout that there is a most plain and unchallengeable obligation on the part of the colony to carry out the work as among the earliest of those undertaken when the funds are available to pay for them. But at the same time it would be idle, unpractical, unbusinesslike, and unreasonable to refuse to recognise the fact that at the present juncture the requisite funds are not forthcoming, and that a very considerable period may elapse before they will be. The next point to bo considered is whether, if the Government cannot give us any money, they are not able yet to give us moneys worth. To some extent this has already been promised. The concessions already granted are variously valued at from .£50,000 to .£IOO,OOO, but the promoters of the construction of the line by a private company urge that still more is required to render the enterprise one which will commend itself to the favor of English capitalists. They asked for a guarantee of 2 per cent, on the capital expended, and this being refused, they sought a grant of waste land in the locality to be opened up by the line. But this, also, the Government did not see their way to concede in the financial position of the Colony, the bind being part of the security to the public creditor, and the landfund being also urgently needed to enable local bodies to discharge their functions. We cannot concur in the view taken by Ministers of this application. A grant of land for the construction of a railway opening up an. extensive area of other valuable land, and affording both a means and an inducement for the settlement of a large and revenue-producing industrial population, would be both a legitimate and a judicious investment. It is not as if the value of .the hind would be thrown into.the sea, as in certain other cases we could name. On the contrary, it would be applied to the best possible purpose — that of opening up and settling the country — and in furtherance of a policy to which this Colony stands irrevocably committed. We hope, therefore, that Ministers will reconsider their determination in thia respect, and will consent to recommend Parliament to agree to the grant sought, for. Bnt in-the meantime it will not do to depend on that. Ministers, may not deem it politic to make the recommendation ; -Parliament might not agree to it if made. We, therefore, come back to the former contention that we must endeavor to help ourselves in the matter. We already have the promise of very large concessions. Taking even the lowest estimate of their value, .£50,000, that ifl a very handsome bonus to a company just starting, and in our opinion the value is considerably more. Without implicitly acoepting the highest estimate — although that was made by men of extensive praotical knowledge and experience on the subject, large" contractors such as Messrs. James Lockie and Samuel Beown — even allowing a substantial discount on their estimate, the value remains at an amount which few companies would be disposed to disregard. The present idea is that if this were supplemented by capital to the extent of or being subscribed in the Colony, it would afford a sufficient guarantee to induce those competent to furnish the re3b of the money needed. Here, then, is an opportunity for those who xeally believe ixi the Bcheme, and heartily desire to ace it carried out, to prove their sincerity in the most' practical and indisputable manner by "backing their opinions." Let them put down their names for as many shares as they can afford, and thus give ;the beßt guarantee in deeds of tb&r faith in the enterprise which they have so' long and bo loudly supported in words.' If this is done, and the adjourned meetingshow both a numerous attendance and a promising commencement of subscriptions', then we may fairly hope and congratulate" ourselves ' that this important work is af . length satisfactorily on its way towards becoming an accomplished fact. J"