TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9167, Issue 9167, 16 March 1910, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Lord Kitchener's reported intention of visiting South America Across for the purpose of inspectthe ing the trans-Andine railAndes, way aroused some curiosity as the great work of joining the East and West coasts of the continent by rail had not been the subject of much publicity before. An added interest is given to the work by the fact that the railway brings Australia and New Zealand nearer to England. A despatch from the Colonial Office to the Federal Postal Department suggests a shorter mail route between Australia and England, via South America. It is estimated mails from England could be landed in Sydney in 27 days, and in New Zealand in about 31 days. The railway which has made this result possible crosses South America, the route lying from Los Andes in Chili over the Cordillera range and then by means of a great tunnel nearly two miles in length, a connection is made with the Brazilian railway system. Lord Kitchener has evidently abandoned his proposed visit of inspection, since he sails today for Sydney, en route for Vancouver, but it is evident that the importance of the railway has not been overlooked by the Imperial Government.

The Borough; Council took the right stand last night when it

The refused to contribute toBeach. wards the cost of a road

between Foxton. and the Manawatu Heads. This is purely a work for the Foxton Borough Council and the Manawatu County Council, and the Palmerston Borough would not be justified in providing funds for the purpose stated. It is true that the beach is mainly used by Palmerston people, but that does not furnish an excuse for the application, as each district should bear its own responsibilities and burdens. On the other hand, if the district concerned had an eye to business it would see that a good road was constructed and other inducements offered to swell the number of visitors to the beach. Seeing that the amount to be found per annum would be only £75, business people naturally conclude that it would be a good investment for the Foxton district to incur this liability itself, although it is quite possible that some of the residents of the port think otherwise. As a business proposition the construction of the road would be of considerable benefit to Foxton, and to ask an outside town which is putting a thousand or two of its surplus cash ;into Foxton each summer to share the cost of construction is both ridiculous and unreasonable. Self-re-liance is a good quality to possess, and it is a pity that it is not more in evidence in connection with the Beach road.

Not long ago several New Zealand towns .were pointing to Carnegie . the alleged advantages Libraries, to be derived by Carne-

gie grants for libraries, and some enthusiasts in Palmerston, holding similar views, induced the local Borough Council to make application to the Laird of Skibo for a grant from his heavily-stocked purse. The town had previously applied (unsuccessfully) for the substantial donation of £10,000, but on the second occasion it was decided to be a little more modest, and the sum of £5000 was suggested. It seems, however, that the Carnegie library grants are not quite so beneficial as they have been stated to be. Several restrictions are imposed by the Pittsburg millionaire, one of which states that there-must be no charge for the circulating library, which, of course, deprives the institution of necessary revenue. This stipulation is one of several flies in the ointment, and connot be removed. Cr Haydon has just returned from a visit to Dunedin—a city that caught the benevolent eye of Mr Carnegie, with the result that thousands of pounds were poured into its lap merely for the asking. But since the erection of the library the Corporation of Dunedin has had oecation to change its opinion as to the benefits of such a grant. Cr Haydon says the benefaction is hedged round with so many conditions as to cause great inconvenience, and he further states that Dunedin wishes it had never seen a Carnegie library. This information will prove quite a shock to that section of the public that desires to participate in Mr Carnegie's wealth, and it may be that in time they will see eye to eye with Cr Haydon, who holds the opinion that Palmerston will be better without a gift from the millionaire when impossible conditions are imposed.