THE Marlborough Express. SATURDAY, MAY 27, 1871.

Marlborough Express, Volume VI, Issue 294, 27 May 1871, Page 4

THE Marlborough Express.

SATURDAY, MAY 27, 1871.

“ Givk me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all other liberties.’ —Milton

His Honor the Superintendent’s Speech on Tuesday last raises several important subjects for the consideration of the Council, and of these perhaps none is of greater immediate importance than the one we have

made our readers familiar with in connection with the charges for the maintenance of the Telegraph Line, exacted by the Treasury officials of the General Govern-

ment, which swallow up so large a proportion of our Capitation allowance. The glaring injustice of this ruinous practice will be so apparent to every Member, that we do not doubt their ready compliance with the request that they should memorialise the Ministry on the subject.

We would venture to suggest that another great grievance under which the

people of Marlborough are suffering might be treated upon in like manner, and would perhaps be attended with useful results, while at least no harm could follow the attempt, were it not successful. We refer to the difficulty in the way of suitors, who are compelled to go to a neighboring Province in search of Justice, for the want of occasional Sittings of the Supreme Court in M arlborough. This is one of our standing grievances, to which we have reverted frequently, and which has been brought under the notice of the Legislature and the Ministry several times by our Member, Mi-. Eyes. As “ constant droppings wear away a stone,” it may be that the Government, wearied by our importunities, may at last lend an attentive ear to the Council. Let us remind them that no tangible reason has been given why our prayer should be disregarded, while numerous arguments have been advanced in favor, and instances of suffering in consequence of the present course have been enlarged upon. Who knows but the time has arrived when our endeavors may be crowned witli success. We are glad to see that His Honor is in favor of a more extended system of Education, that it should be initiated by the Colony, and consequently under its control. We have long since arrived at the same conclusion, and the Town of Blenheim has by public meeting declared itself also in favor of a Colonial scheme, to be enforced in every part of the Colony alike, with a system of Inspection uncontrolled by local influences. Nothing short of this will suit the mass of the people, and we sincerely trust that the subject will receive the attention it merits. The present system will not work well, and already many are grumbling fiercely. No General scheme will work worse than it does.

On the subject of Immigration, we doubt whether the Council will endorse the views of the Superintendent, unless in connection with the Railway scheme. The system hitherto in vogue has not worked so well financially that it should be perpetuated. Instances are not wanting where the Government has enforced payment from the sureties without consulting the principals, and if we mistake not, have gone so far as to claim on insolvent estates of sureties, without even asking the principals, when public duty demanded harsher proceedings. It is even said that some of these persons have received the monies from their servants, and misapplied them to their own purposes. Besides, we doubt if there be a demand for Immigrant laborers, or how is it that the sum required for the relief of the destitute is so much increased 1 Then there is the Picton and Blenheim Railway, and in this matter we coincide entirely with His Honor. A narrow guage, light, and inexpensive in its construction, will answer all purposes for many years to come, while we feel satisfied that it will materially ossist the progress and prosperity of the whole Province. None of the measures laid upon the table of the Council by the Government

seem to call for any particular notice here. Some are formal, and possess little interest. The Roads Act Amendment Bill is intended to supply defects found in practically working the Act of last session. The Scab Bill is of interest only to sheep-farmers, and seems but a pretence intended to amuse somebody. We regret that a measure for Drainage purposes was not considered necessary, as that would be of real rervice to a large portion of the community; for the want of such a measure we have lately seen individuals waste hundreds of pounds in useless and unprofitable law expenses.

A further letter from “ Minim ” in last Thursday’s Keivs, while containing no new facts or arguments, is couched in such low vituperative language as to place it beyond the pale of further controversy or notice than this. There has been no cause, public or private, for the coarse personal attack, and we shall therefore leave the Philharmonic Society and its representative to pursue any course they may see fit, feeling satisfied that every right thinking or unbiassed reader will see the right of the matter without further explanation. The only remark we wish to add is relative to “ the sneering use of the word poverty. ” We did not so apply the phrase, which was used by one of the Provincial Executive during the debate in Council.