SPENDING PUBLIC MONEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20491, 17 February 1930, Page 12

SPENDING PUBLIC MONEY.

Sir, —Nobody wishes to,revive the old North Island versus South Island illfeeling of years ago,, but if the present Government remains much longer in power, that feeling will certainly be revived. The stopping of the three railways, viz., Taupo, Palmerston North and Morningside, may be justified, but the starting of railways in the South Kland that are not as likely to be profitmaking as the abandoned lines in the North calls for more justification than the present Government has supplied. ThQ £36,000 annual subsidy given to the Melbourne-Bluff steamer service is little short of a scandal. Two shipping companies reduced their boats on this service because there was not the business offering. At one time the newest of the Union and Huddart-Parker steamers were on thq old horse-shoe run and the Auckland-Sydney service was maintained by older, slower and smaller steamers. In spite of this handicap, the northern routes increased in popularity until the companies, being business organisations, adjusted their trades to meet the popular demand. The trade offering between Victoria and Southland does not seem to warrant the running of a steamer at all, and yet directly the present Government comes into power a large , sum of public money is used to try to bolster up a dying trade. Now we* find that our trade with Norfolk Island is to cease. Certainly this trade is not big, but it will probably grow, and if the Government is justified in using public money for the benefit of Southland, it is certainly due to the North that public money should be made available to .subsidise any required service. It sfeems to m? that what New Zealand wants is a statesman leader, one big enough to see beyond his own electorate, beyond his particular party, a man for the Empire? in general, and New Zealand in particular. Led by such a man we could afford to do away with party and "all be for the State." Until such a man arises Auckland and the North must for their own - good do all possible to turn out the present Administration. No matter what takes its place it must bq a change for the better. . Avib. '