MR. EDWIN COX ON MR. VAILE'S PROPOSALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8662, 3 September 1891, Page 3

MR. EDWIN COX ON MR. VAILE'S PROPOSALS.

TO the editor. Sir,—When I referred on Tuesday last to Mr. Cox s letter I paid him the compliment of supposing that he differed from nearly everyone of Mr. Vaile's supporters by knowing at least a little of the argument upon which Mr. Yaile bases his prospect of the financial success of his scheme. It, however, now is evident from his reply that lie, like others, has not even a rudimentary knowledge of it, therefore further argument with him must for the present be futile. I therefore will simply ask him again, for his own credit, to procure a copy of the evidence given before the Parliamentary committee of 1886 (ydiich, I believe, can be obtained at the office of the Railway Reform League), and study the returns in pages SG 87, and 89. ° ' Then perhaps he may get a glimmering of what Mr. Vailes contention really is, and be able to judge for himself whether simply doubling the total traffic must necessarily bring the present net revenue under Mr. Vailes proposed fares. Of course it has been evident all along that nearly all of Mr. Vaile's supporters had hardly any knowledge of what Mr. Vaile'3 proposals really were, but if that had required any demonstration, certainly it was furnished at the meeting held last Tuesday, when all the speakers who favoured the . scheme, froth the chairman downwards, with the exception of Mr. Vaile, practically confessed that tuey knew no more about it than * that generally it meant a lowering of fares, which was to confer untold benefits upon the colony. The attitude of the worthy chairman was most especially comical, he being compelled to confess himself, after one day's study "overwhelmed with the subject/ Bein«- ;1 Scotchman, however, and a canny one"at. that, lie did not commit himself to a belief in the feasibility of the scheme, but contented himself with saying " that many thought it feasible. I shall therefore conclude by asking him also to devote his clear head to a closer investigation of Air. Vaile's proposals, when 1 sha l be _ glad to hear whether he himself still thinks it feasible ? '—■! am, &c., J. 13. W JIYTE. P.S.—3OG signed the requisition to* the Mayor asking him to call the meeting, 20 turned up, and yet the Mayor complained. 1 think that a most unusually large proportion of those who usually sign those tilings when actively canvassed, who are also willing to show their faith by taking a little trouble. I his is an illustration of how much weight should be attached to the unier-ously-signed petitions to the Parliament on this subject.