The Lyttelton Times. MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1872.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3521, 29 April 1872, Page 2

The Lyttelton Times. MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1872.

It is pretty clear, from his speech to the Provincial Council on Friday last, that the winter of his Honor’s discontent, gloom, and doubt, has not been turned to glorious summer by the sun of prosperity which most people now profess to feel the influence of. The land sales for the past six

months have yielded nearly £45,000, which ■ is a good deal more than the estimate for the whole year, and Mr Eolleston speaks coldly, almost despondently, about “ a considerable increase.” But we have no intention of analysing the speech minutely with the view of pointing out other proofs of the same sombre spirit. It is enough to note the general effect, and to record a protest against this—perhaps unconscious—attempt to throw a very heavy and thick wet blanket over our spirits just as we are beginning to realise hopes so long deferred, and to feel that the “ belter times ” some of us had almost despaired of ever seeing are close at band, if they have not actually arrived. It would, perhaps, be too much to expect Mr Bolleston to say anything in favour of that policy which he has consistently opposed, and even tried to thwart, from the very outset. But in enumerating the causes which have led to such a remarkable increase in the sale of waste lands during the first few months, be might have given due weight to the influence exercised by the vigorous prosecution of the policy of public works and immigration. If Mr Bolleston cannot be generous, he should at least be just, and give—even the General Government—their due, No doubt the high price of wool has had some effect upon the land sales, but if the question is closely inquired into we believe it will be found that a majority of the recent purchases have bean made because railways are about to be constructed and comparatively remote parts of the province brought within easy reach of a market for the produce of the soil. His Honor characteristically refers to the “ absence of “ speculation, and the steady pro- “ secution of the existing industries “ of the country ” as causes which have operated in producing an increase in the sale of waste lands, and ■it is difficult, if not impossible, to understand what he means by the former. Speculation, so far as a young and growing country is concerned, often means commendable enterprise, and it is satisfactory to believe that the spirit of the people is reviving in spite of the dreary predictions which the prophets of evil so frequently indulge in. The completion of the Northern Bailway, as far as Kaiapoi, is dwelt on at considerable length and with not a little pride by his Honor, and we agree with him in thinking the opening of the line a fit subject for congratulation. We cannot, however, go much farther. The line has no doubt been laid down in a moat substantial manner; the bridges, culverts, and other works are presumedly satisfactory and of a permanent character; but if the history of the line is carefully considered we are of opinion that Mr Bolleston will find very few people to agree with him in thinkii g it a favourable example of “ the advantage to be de- “ rived from the, employment by the “ colony of local management in the “ execution of works provided for by “ borrowed money.” He lays great stress upon the economical and efficient manner in which the work has been devised and executed, and seems to be of opinion that this is everything. But if Mr Bolleston, in calculating the cost of the line, will also calculate and make due allowance for the time that has been lost—we say it advisedly—a some what less satisfactory result will be arrived at. It is generally believed that the Northern line might have been open to Kaiapoi several months ago—in time, say, for the wool and grain season now nearly over—and the money that would thus have been saved, as well as the revenue that has been lost to the province by the delay, must be added to the total cost. In these cases it is not enough to ask, how much

did it cost? We must also inquire what time was spent in the construction, and whether the comparatively moderate outlay in actual cash was true economy after all. Mr Rolleston says nothing about the small contract system, under which the Northern line has been constructed, and the praises of which he used to celebrate. This silence is significant, and leads irresistibly to the inference that the system has broken down. While, therefore, we heartily agree with his Honor in thinking that the completion of the first section of the Northern Railway is a fit and proper subject for congratulation, we must altogether dissent from the inference which he draws about the, advantages to be derived from the employment of local management. In the abstract he may be right, though we are not prepared to admit even this, but his example certainly does not bear out the view which he wishes the people of the province to adopt. The Northern Railway, so far as we yet know, has been well and carefully constructed, and the cost per mile is reasonable; but there is nothing to show that the work would not have been as well and economically done had it been in the hands of the General Government; from the outset, and there is every reason to believe that it would have been completed much sooner. Mr Rolleston is not in a position to contrast two systems of management in railway construction, and it follows that he cannot fairly say one system is better than another. At the moat, he can only say that a certain system is satisfactory, and even this much will not be universally admitted by any means. He is not entitled to claim, as he does, an advantage, because the element of comparison, or contrast, is wanting. And in arguing that local management should be employed in the execution of works provided for by borrowed money, he forgets, or chooses to ignore, the very important fact that, if such a plan wore adopted, the expenditure of our loans would be placed in the hands of a virtually irresponsible body. Is it reasonable to suppose that any General Government would become responsible to the Assembly for expenditure of the nature contemplated by Mr Rolleston ? Certainly not. If it is the object of the ultra-provincial party to secure the handling of the money raised by the General Government —and it would appear that they aim at nothing less—they will find that public opinion is not at all inclined to run in their groove. Local institutions are necessary to the good and efficient government of the country, but it does not follow that Provincial Governments should be maintained in all their pomp and circumstance to manage the expenditure of money raised by authority of the General Assembly. It seems extraordinary that a proposition of this sort should emanate from those who are always preaching rigorous economy.