THE MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11791, 22 October 1901, Page 4

THE MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

Now that the San Francisco service has been disposed of for a time, we may expect that some attention will be given to the progress of the Main Trunk railway. The two subjects are indeed closely connected, for if the railway were finished the English mail could be distributed most rapidly from Auckland. It will be remembered that the local Railway League arranged to have reports sent to it as to the progress of the work. The last of these reports, sent in to the league about a fortnight ago, stated that a number of men were being discharged from the works, and that all over there

was a " slowing down" in the con-

struction. No explanation of this has been given in Parliament. We presume that Ministers will say that the vote of last year is about exhausted, and that we must wait for the Public Works Estimates. Well, the Public Works Statement will come on almost at once, when we shall ascertain whether the Government mean to push on vigorously i with this long-delayed line. Its position throws some light upon the accusation so frequently made within the last few days about Auckland seeking to dominate the rest of the colony and to obtain an advantage over the South. The Main Trunk railway was a part of Sir Julius Vogel's original public works scheme, as indeed a line to open up the interior of the North Island must have been. More than twenty years ago Sir Julius Vogel wrote from London pointing out that the Government of New Zealand had failed in its duty in not pushing this line ahead. Many years since a j Commission was appointed to indicate what lines should be proceeded with and what deferred or abandoned. About the Trunk line to connect Auckland with the rest of the colony there was no question. But the Commission reported that the Otago Central should not be proceeded with. Instantly a howl arose from Otago. The Otago people made no scruple about bringing "the mailed fist" to bear upon j Ministers. Aucklanders never banded themselves together to prevent the line being made. And it was proceeded with, and year after year had large votes, while nothing was done on the North Island Main I Trunk line. Again, at one time ' when Canterbury was dull and dei pressed, the people there rose up ! and declared that a line must be I made to connect Christchurch with ! the West Coast. We in Auckland i predicted that it would be a burden and a loss to the colony. But the Canterbury people applied the mailed fist, and compelled the Government to pass the Midland Bailway Act. We need not say that that project has been most calamitous to the colony. And the end is I not yet, for we shall probably have to pay a considerable sum to the debenture-holders in England, for which the colony will get nothing. The Auckland members are entitled to demand that a vote shall be authorised for the Trunk railway sufficient to enable it to be pushed forward at the most rapid rate possible, even if other public works, such as the Midland and Otago

I Central, have to be contented with i reduced sums. The country be- ; tween the railway line and the har- ; hour of Kawhia will soon be settled. ; and the Government will have to j face the question of making a line ;to connect that harbour with the I Trunk line. But at present our reI presentatives will have to see that j the vote for the Main Trunk railway ! is not subjected to any curtailment. ..jim.,... ... ■ i mm