Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1885. CAPTAIN RUSSELL'S MOTION.

Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 61, 9 September 1885, Page 2

Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1885. CAPTAIN RUSSELL'S MOTION.

| Thb traitorous plot hatched by the Canterbury contingent, under command of Mr. Holmes, burst last night in the form of a motion by Captain. Russell, to the effect that the Publio Works Estimates should be { reduced by the sum of half a million. Tho idea was well conceived and well .carried out. Captain Russell was an exceedingly . good man to select as the mover. Last session be did his level best to prevent the North Island Trunk Railway being commenced ; he -was a member of the Royal Commission which unequivocally condemned tho East and West Coast Railway ; ha hp& .been a consistent opponent to borrowing, which, involves taxation upon property; ho is person£sy nopular, is not a violent, although a staunch, fpaxtyjnan, and he openly laments the extinction 'ox the, sweet simplicity which prevailed in the' good old days when public works were unknown, when native lands could be easily and cheaply acquired, and when the pastoral lords of the soil reigned supreme. It was natural and consistent that such a shonld ostensibly emanate from such & source, but had it come from him alonp it ttwW p.qt have stood much chance of being carried. The Canterbury contingent, with considerable aatutenssa, have, however, utilised .Captain Eusshll, and given him a fair chance of being able apparently to give effect to his own views while really sijnpty carrying out their revenge. Recognising the hopelessness of being able to obtain the £150,000 vote for the East and West .Coast line, their object has been to thwart and humiliate Ministers, if possible without actually turning them out, and to put a stop to all other publio works until their price is paid. Cap* tain RussxLii may imagine he is giving effect to his own views, but he is roally only dancing as the wires are pulled by the East and West Coast Railway party. He was studiously moderate in his speech, and he earnestly, and, we believe, quite sincerely, deprecated the idea that Mb motion was brought forward with any intent directly hostile to the Government. Major Atiinson followed in the same strain, and we are quite prepared to accept their assurances that there ia no wish on the part

of the supporters of the motion to climb into office on the strength of it. It is unfortunate that the Minister of Public Works is constitutionally unable to 6peak in atone which would enable anyone a few feet away to hear what he saya. Last night he replied to Captain Russell, but not half a dozen people in the House really heard what he Raid, while in the Press Gallery only a word or two here and there was distinguishable. Several members subsequently tried to interpret his meaning, and altogether we gathered that he admitted that if no new public contracts were entered into this year, the votes for roads and bridges cut down, the proposed erection of several buildings, including the Auckland Customhouse and a now printing office in Wellington, abandoned, and a few other works left undone, the terms of the motion could be complied with, and he promised that if it was carried, and was not intended as a hostile vote, he would in Committee indicate the reductions which could be made and move them in order to give effect to tho resolution. The Premier did not seem to like this concession, and he at once said the Government would neithe* make nor vote for any reductions. Leaving the Premier and Minister of Public Works to reconcile whatever differences there may «be between their respective statements, we will simply, in a few words, point out the real meaning and effect of Captain Russell's proposal. It means, then, that because tho House will not consent to vote £150,000 for the East and West Coast Bailway, further progress this year on the Otago Central and Main North Island trunk lines is to be stopped, that there is to be no further extension of railways north of Auckland, that necessary public buildings in Auckland and Wellington are not to be constructed, and that Canterbury being well supplied with roads and bridges, other places which require them are not to get them. It means a considerable reduction in expenditure on public works, and probably a consequent increase in tho number of the ranks of the unemployed. It means a cheok to the prosperity and advancement of the North Island generally, and on attempt to make all the colony suffer and share in the depression which so unhappily affects Canterbury, and especially to bring Otago down to the same level. Incidentally it also of course means a further snub to the Ministry, a partial party triumph to the Opposition, and the gratification of a feeling of revenge on the part of the disappointed East and West Coast Railway party. We hope that the resolution will not be carried, and if the majority are true to the interests of those they represent, it will not be, but there are often in the minds of members influences far more powerful than consideration for tho interests of their constituents. As we all know " Conetitoounta air hendy to help a man in, But artcrwardß don't weigh the heft of a pin." There are too many members who represent Not the fellers that sent him, but them on the f cnoe— Impartially ready to jump either side, An make the first use of a turn o' the tide. Tho electors throughout the North and in Otago will do well to watch 'how their members yote on this question.