THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1878.

Grey River Argus, Volume 21, Issue 3103, 26 July 1878, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1878.

Although they were not directly in-" eluded in the business of the recent deputation to Wellington, three subjects of considerable importance were incidentally raised at the interview with Ministers ; one being the granting of a subsidy to a steam-tug, the second a reduction of the port and wharf charges on shipping, and the third the proposed railway to Canterbury. The Minister of Public Works at once apprehended that the question of subsidising a steam-tug was a difficult one, as, if seriously entertained, applications of a similar character would i come from almost every other port in the colony, and that it was hardly a matter for the Government to take action upon. And we quite agree that a subsidy in the special case of Greymouth would be somewhat invidious unless the Government was prepared to entertain all similar applications, and this we are satisfied Parliament would not agree to. There is a wide difference between subsidising seagoing steamers for the conveyance of mails, or for performing certain other explicit conditions, failure in completing which would render the subsidy liable to be forfeited, or a penalty inflicted. We fear that a subsidy to a steam-tug, the employment of which would necessarily depend a good deal on the chapter of accidents, would not work well. We presume that in the present instance the proposed subsidy would go to the local tugboat, the Despatch, but it is hardly likely that the owners of that vessel would forfeit all control of their property for the sake of a subsidy which would probably only cover the working expenses ; and, on the other hand, the Government could not grant a subsidy except upon such binding conditions as would place the boat mainly under the orders of one of their own officers. We can foresee the probability of endless complications arising under such a plan, and we are satisfied the Government must come to a similar conclusion. If the reduction of towage to a nominal price for the sake of the indirect advantages that the development of a large branch of colonial industry is a necessity, it can, to our mind, be done only by one of three means — either by the natural results of competition by steamtug owners ; the amalgamation of the various companies in the purchase and joint working of the tug ; or by the Government becoming the proprietors of the boat, and placing its management under their own officers, and working it as part and parcel of the railway. This last plan is the best, it is not open to the probable objection that it is not the duty of the Government to subsidise a private company, and it has the merit of being included in the same category as the coal railway, the cost of which, unlike that of other lines, is borne by the colony as a whole, and is subject to no deduction from local land revenue, or other charges of local bearing. And if, as the deputation asserted, the reduction of towage would enormously increase the traffic returns of the railway, we fail to see why i the Government would not be justified in j purchasing a • tug, and working it in conjunction with the railway. Cheap towage of itself means as much as an improvement of the port, for even as things are, innumerable small crafts would come for coal if their expenses were lessened. If the thing is worth doing at all, it is worth doing thoroughly, and the only thorough manner is that the tug should be the property of the Government jast aa much as the railway, for, after all, a tug is only a locomotive on water. The question of reducing the port and wharfage charges is another serious matter, and desirable as it may be that Greymouth should be a free port, it can hardly be expected that the Government will maintain the wharf without charging at least as much as is sufficient for keeping it in repair, and enlarging and restoring it as occasion may require. Still, as Mr Macandrew pointed out, it would be judicious to restrict the local charges on shipping to within the limits of the ordinary expenditure, but whether the revenue must exceed this now or not we do not know ; certainly,

if it does, then a readjustment should be made, so that every fair and reasonable inducement Bhould. be given for vessels in ballast plying to the port for coal. This is a matter which the Government could do without difficulty, and it is to be hoped the subject will receive prompt attention. The other matter, which deserves notice, is the establishment of railway communication between the East and West Coasts, and it is one that has, so far, arrived at a defiuite stage that it is ripe for the consideration of Parliament. Several alternative routes have been surveyed, and the construction of the line is popular with the people of the East Coast ; and no doubt will receive the assistance of the Otago and Canterbury members whenever the Government are iv a position to ask Parliamentary authority to proceed with the work. The question of route is perhaps the most troublesome part of the subject on account of various partialities and prejudices for and against one or other plan ; but the balance of opinion is that the best route yet discovered is via the Grey Valley into North Canterbury, connecting there with the great railway system. Some favor a more southerly route, but there are obvious reasons why not only should the cheapest line be taken, but that it should first connect with that part of the Coast which will soonest provide a traffic. As to these points there is no doubt that the Grey Valley will be chosen, and the overland line and the extension from Greymouth to Hokitika could proceed simultaneously. If, as is alleged, coal to the East Coast can bear a freight of LI per ton, and that timber, could be carried at a low rate, it is certain that the line would become quite as profitable as the average of the other railways in the Colony. It would open up a large extent of land and in other respects would be of Colonial advantage. But, desirable as such a line undoubtedly is, the coal trade will always have to depend upon a good access by sea, and thus it is that the improvement of the harbor, and the provision of other facilities for shipping are just now the most paramount requirements of this district.