TUB RAILWAY AGITATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10835, 19 August 1898, Page 6

TUB RAILWAY AGITATION.

Tire Cliristcluirch Press of August 12, in an article on railway communication in the North Island, says %-Tlie connection of Auckland and Wellington by rail has been a long time on the way, and it seems as far off as ever. Generally before an election, and when politics are dull in Auckland, a few meetings are held, but the country knows nothing is meant, and hence the line drags slowly on. The fact is, Auckland city does not want the central line. It has always desired to treat Taranaki as an Auckland country district, and it thinks that connecting Auckland with Stratford will be of more service than connecting Auckland with Wellington in a direct line. Business in unfortunately dull in Auckland just now. Mining is not, in share transactions at all events, so active as it was a year ago, and a little excitement about railway matters may, therefore, be excused. We notice that the Nmv Zealand Herald lias headed the meeting recently held as a " Provincial Agitation." The name is deserved, for the promoters do not look upon the interests of the colony as paramount. The interests of Auckland city transcend those of the country districts of Auckland and of the colony as well. In these days of political cries and the need of a political programme, it is refreshing to learn from a leading Auckland merchant that the one tiling nccessaiy for the political life of the colony is "the railway (to Stratford." Said Mr. McMillan:— view was that they should set to work and prepare for a general election, sink all difference of opinion, and make the railway to Stratford their rallying cry." To such base ijses have politics come! We do not believe that the patriotic men and women of the Auckland province will listen to such advice. It is a degradation of politics, and shows a, great degeneration from the olden days. In fact, it is putting the Auckland vote tip to auction, and the party that will give the best pledge will get it!

Now what are the facts about this Auck-land-Wellington railway? A special committee of South Island members was set up in 1885 to determine the route that should be chosen, and they with one exception— the Hon. Mr. Montgomery— that the central route was the best in every way. The Hon. Mr. Mitchelsou, formerly an Auckland member, endorsed that recommendation, and no Annistry has ventured since to dispute the finding of the committee. Not only is the central route more —and hence shorter than a line via Stratford, but the gradients between Marton and Stratford are the worst on any line in New Zealand except the Rimutaka incline. Some are as steep as lin 35. Then the land that would be opened up is not to be compared with the land served by the central route. Further, the access given to the hot water region of New Zealand, were a central route adopted, would be of immense service to Auckland. Why Auckland has been so foolish as to prevent the central route from being carried out we never could understand. We suppose some Auckland merchants fancied that a railway to Taranaki would give them the trade of Taranaki. Auckland is now within ten hours of New Plymouth by steamer, while Wellington is 15 hours fiom New Plymouth. Yet we learn Wellington merchants do as large a business in Now Plymouth as their brethren in Auckland. How is this? Were a railway constructed to Stratford, Auckland merchants would not lessen the competition of Wellington, and what would they. gain? The central and direct route would, however, bring a great trade to Auckland, and a considerable tourist traffic. In the wintci, if people knew that once they were landed in Wellington they could go straight through to Auckland, tne city of the North would reseived numerous visitors. It is the sea voyage that deters many from even visiting Botorua. Auckland city is really standing in the way of its own' advancement in its persistent agitation for the Stratford route. We decline to believe that the rest of the colony are to be bounced by any " provincial agitation" into wasting money for a branch line before the direct and central railway is constructed.

The fact is the North Island railway loan is exhausted, and there is no money to go on with the construction of the northern trunk line. Money must be borrowed or taken from the consolidated revenue for the purpose. If the Auckland people will block the construction of the already sanctioned line they are doing an injury to themselves and to their province. They are also injuring the colony, for the part'of the main line from Marton to Mangaonoho is practically of little service until the Waikato is connected and people can go right through to Auckland. The Auckland people do not want to leave the railway route to the engineers. Of course not. 'Die engineers have only one opinion, and that is that the central route is the propei route, and that it would be a waste of money and an injure to the whole North Island to make a branch line to Stratford.