THE CLAIMS OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12931, 29 July 1905, Page 4

THE CLAIMS OF AUCKLAND.

The energy with which the claims of Auckland were advanced on Thursday, when , the comparatively small matter of the Huia wharf was. under discussion, is an indication that the long-standing indignation of the public is at length ripening into action. Sir Joseph Ward, who has been stirring up his constituents to agitate for the Central Otago, and who is equally guilty with Mr. Seddon of favouring the South Island at the expense of the Forth, gave "an absolute and unqualified contradiction" to the charge that "Auckland had not received justice from a ' South Island Administration.'" Unfortunately for Sir Joseph his, words and his deeds do not match. Almost at j the very moment •of his " absolute ! and unqualified contradiction" he was laying the [Railway Report on -'the table of the House, this report trumpeting to the .whole colony the results of another year" of " South Island Administration." Our readersare aware that there were only 901 miles of railway in the North to 1427 miles in the South. Yet, although we are thus deficient, and in spite of our bigger population, of our greater contribution to the public revenue, and of our infinitely larger area of Crown and native lands fit for settlement, the last year's work of the Department increases the inexcusable discrepancy. According to Sir Joseph Ward's own figures, for the twelve months expiring on March 31 last there were opened for^.traffic just under 45| miles of new railway. Of this only 17f miles were in the North Island, while 28 miles— five chains, to be exact— in the South."; The customary proportion of three miles in the South for every two in the North was much more than maintained, yet we have the Minister for Railways giving an absolute and unqualified denial'-' to the statement of fact that we do not get justice. The. thing is so barefaced that now that Auckland is becoming determined to have its [share Mr. Seddon begins to talk of devising some- new system of allocation, . but says no word of equalisation for the wrongs of the past, although not less than five million pounds are due to us on railways alone. The discussion will recur during the . session, and we wait to see whether Mr. Baume will talk as loudly on more important questions as he did on the Huia wharf, and whether his vote will support his voice. As for the other city members, only : Mr. Fowlds spoke bluntly and straightforwardly for Auckland. 'Mr, La wry thanked the "donor" for all , his manifold gifts and. humbly said he was' more than satisfied, to ■ which sentiments Mr. Kidd by silence, gave consent.