The Evening Star FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1881.

Evening Star, Issue 5767, 2 September 1881, Page 2

The Evening Star FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1881.

Two subjects) of deep importance claim the immediate attention of the inhabitants of Dunedin: the construction of a new railway station and tho Representation Bill. The mere mention of these two subjects sufficiently indicates that they stand adversely to each other, so fatas tho action of the Ministry towards Dunedin is concerned. Both should form the subject of strong demonstration on the part of the inhabitants; hut, being totally disconnected, it seems impossible to discuss them together, especially as the 'Government deserve the warmest support o;; the Representation Bill, and the severest condemnation regarding their dilatoriness and breach of faith in regard to the railway station. Which then .should be dealt with first? Evidently that which the more immediately presses. Never 'was there a time when an unniistakcablc expression of disapproval of party tactics was so mueh required in New Zealand as now, and what is done must be promptly done, or it will fail to strengthen the hands of the Ministry. It does not follow that the railway station shou.d be lost sight of by giving preference to a public expression on vhe Representation Bill. A few days will ,u£tkf no dillerence to the one, while time presses in regard to the other. Let it be remembered 'thu/' Ota go has suffered in Iter public extending commerce is.u'OUidi similar dishonest combinations of adveuo parties to those now as a minority seeking to force their selfish opinions upon the ih&iority of the population. Their stonewalling" is ait abuse of the representative system, which, through the obstruction to the business of Parliament, lias already cost the Colony a heavy sum ol :;;oney, besides the disgrace that has been tin own upon the character of the Legislature. No business, in fact, can be gone un with while this fools' faction retain powers of physical endurance ; and, therefore, however annoying it may be to postpone the consideration of the railway station, no actual loss of time will be sustained, for the attention of tho Ministry to local administration would hardly be given if the were encouraged to proceed through the belief that becauso Otago was bilent it was indifferent to their insane conduct. Nor will it do to discuss the .subject* together for obvious icanons: Firstly, because it i* never wise to praise and condemn in the same breath ; and secondly, l»st a handle should be o-iven to ihe stonewalWf* to say that the people of Otago were offering the Ministry their support on condition of having their railwvv !-tation constructed. No time should be lost m remn'sitioning His Worship the Mayor to oiivone a public meeting condemnatory of the obstructive conduct of the minority. Let it be remembered that with proper 'representation there is much more likelihood of /uiw.e fair consideration of our just claims than under the present distribution of representation. Secure lhi* ; and the other wiii follow as a natural result.

[.Since the uijoi;; Wis put in type renolutiouH were adopted ior proper I at a meeting to be bold on Tuesday. ' They &r.pi',*>r in another column, They are of that mixed character which we think objectionable; but it is not, too late to give them consideration.]