The Marlborough Press. THURSDAY EVENING, AUGUST 31, 1882 THE RAILWAY QUESTION.

Marlborough Press, Volume XXIII, Issue 1348, 31 August 1882, Page 2

The Marlborough Press. THURSDAY EVENING, AUGUST 31, 1882 THE RAILWAY QUESTION.

If outside local efforts are able to prevent the .construction of the Main Trunk Line of Railway by the East Coast route, that line will never be undertaken. We find that in Christchurch last week a public meeting was held when the following resolutions were passed unanimously : “ That the extension of the Middle Island trunk railway from Waipera to Blenheim, by the coast line or any of the other routes specified in the Government. Engineer’s report, is contrary to the best interests of the Colony and this province; this meeting earnestly and respectfully requests the members of the General Assembly to oppose its construction.” “It is the opinion of this meeting that, in completing the main trunk line of Railway through the Middle Island northwards, the Government will meet the best interests of the colony and of the Provincial Districts of Canterbury, Westland, and Nelson, by the adoption of a route that will connect the West Coast with Nelson and Christchurch.” “ That copies of the above resolutions be sent to all the members of the General Assembly.” It was announced that meetings for the purpose are to be held in all the centres of population in the district. Commenting on the meeting and the resolutions passed thereat, the Wellington Post says It is exceedingly amusing to find the citizens of Christchurch, in public meetings assembled, gravely resolving that the 11 best interests of the colony require a division of the main trunk line of railway northwards so as to connect Christchurch with Nelson and the West Coast; thus entirely destroying its title to be considered a main trunk line. . The real meaning of this movement will be understood from the following candid statement made by the Christchurch Star of the 23rd 1 “ We all know that the new loans have left Canterbury out in the cold. They are to be spent in Auckland and Otago. One little crumb of comfort has been flung to us—the extension of our northern trunk line. Now Christchurch can reap no conceivable benefit from this unless it is made in the right direction. If we had a line open to-morrow to Picton we should still continue to be what we are —the second town in tho Middle Island. But if we had a railway to the West Coast we should speedily become the first, a fact of which the good people of Dunedin are jealously aware.” Probably Wellington and Otago members will note this statement.

Not alone in Canterbury, however, has an attempt been made to influence the Government and the Commissioners to be appointed to examine into the merit of the rival routes, but in Nelson a similar attempt is being made by means that on the face of them proclaim the fears of the promoters of the central route scheme. In the Nelson papers the following significant advertisement appeared A public meeting will he held at the City Council Chamber on Monday next, the 28th instant, at which all persons are requested to attend who are willing to give active assistance in preparing the case of Nelson and the North-western Districts in reference to the Main Trunk Line of Railway from Picton and Nelson to the South in anticipation of the intended Royal Commission of enquiry.” If the agitators in favor of the central route were quite honest in their statement, whence arises the necessity for calling people together to get up evidence. Does it not look as if evidence is to be manufactured to suit the occasion, and that the agitators are perfectly well aware that without something of the kind they can never hope to impress upon an impartial tribunal the value of the route they clamour for.. It is possible ihat such tactics as these might influence some men, and for this reason the selection of the Royal Commissioners will be a matter of moment, for if they are likely to be led astray by evidence obtained in such manner, it is evident the hardest swearers will have the best chance. If the choice of route for the Main Trunk Line of Railway is to be determined in any such fashion, and not upon its actual merits, it is probable that Nelson will obtain its wish ; but if we read the signs of the times aright, we are satisfied that the Government will appoint Commissioners who will value at its true worth all evidence that may be offered them, and will make their report uninfluenced by such questionable means as are likely to be adopted by the Central Route promoters.