HAIL WAY TO CAMBRIDGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 2908, 24 May 1873, Page 3

HAIL WAY TO CAMBRIDGE.

We find the following suggestive leader in tho Woikato Times'.—" In advocating the immediate construction of tho railway through the Waikuto, wo are only asking that this portion of the railway scheme shall bo proceeded with sooner than it is at present contemplated. The most bitter enemies of Auckland, and the most persistent grab-alls of the South, hare never hud the audacity to contradict the insertion that the Waikato railway is the one of all others that will fulfill tho conditions supposed to be necessary before a railway is commenced—wo mean a probability that, it would pay working expenses and interest on its cost. It is not necessary for us to again prove that which is admitted on all hands to be a fact. The questions wo have now to consider are:—l. flow aro we to get our legitimate claims recognised whilo there are so many "political" railways in contemplation ? 2. In the event of our just demands getting favorable consideration, which route shall tho railway follow? As regards the first proposition, nothing but tho most determined expression of opiuion on the p:irt of the people and the greatest unanimity is likely to have the slightest eiTect upon parlies in the House. It is too true that the best interests of this colony are often sacrificed on the altar of party. It will not be a question with our legislators whether the railway is necessary, but whether this party, or that, would gain a vote or two by advocating or opposing it. This is not merely a Waikato question for the consideration of tho Auckland members. Wo believe that tho interests of tho whole colony demand that it shall be made; it is therefore a subject calling for the most earnest consideration of every member of the House. Tho duty that we, as settlers, have to perform,is tohold meetings and forward petitions to tho House. There is no time to bo lost, as the Assembly will meet in a few weeks. We aro glad to observo that o meeting is called in Ngaruawahia, lor next Wednesday. The people must remember that they are the Government, and that the Executive are their servants to do as they shall direct through their members. Meetings should not be oonlined to the Waikato ; every constituency in this province should meet, and bring pressuro to hear upon its members. If the Auckland members will for once unite, there is little doubt but that they will carry the day. As regards tho route that the railway should follow, two have been suggested—one to pass through Cambridge, and the other Orakau. That which has been brought most prominently forward is Cambridge. If that place be selected, it would be most convenient for communication with Taupo, and through there to the line between Wellington and Napier. Another route is through the valley of Waipa, which would joiu the the lino between Taranaki and Wellington, at Waitara. This line would probably pass near Orakau. As regards tho present interests of the settlers, the railway should undoubtedly pass through the Delta. This being the ease, it should on j no account be constructed along the eastern bank of the Waikato to Cambridge. If that route were followed, it would be praotically useless to tho settlers on the western side, who occupy largtf tracts of highly cultivated i land, the carriage of the produce of which it would have to depend upon for revenue. In a strategical senso it matters but little which route it follows. In conclusion we again urge the settlers to take the matter up with the earnestness that the importance ol the subject demands."