INJUSTICE TO WELLINGTON

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8588, 26 November 1913, Page 6

INJUSTICE TO WELLINGTON

It is not our desire to invoke the spirit of provincialism or parochialism in contemplation of the annual division of borrowed money for expenditure on public works. But in view of the attention that is being given to the development of other parts of New Zealand, and the neglect of our own provincial area, the time has surely come when the people of Wellington and its country districts began to concern themselves for their own interests. There is a substantial public works loan raised each year, for which the Wellington people are saddled with an annual charge for interest, but what is the Wellington share of this borrowed money? In recent years it has amounted to very little indeed. Apparently, our members have souls above such sordid considerations as the division of loan money, and are content to allow the representatives of other parts to squabble over the division of the loaves and fishes. This may be high-minded and magnanimous. At the same time, it is not calculated to promote the progress and development of this provincial district. The time has surely come when the rights of Wellington to a share in the distribution of borrowed money should be asserted and maintained. In the Financial Statement that was submitted yesterday, there are liberal votes for railway construction ia, every part of the Dominion except Wellington. Why this distinction? It surely cannot be argued that this provincial district has been adequately opened up by means of railway communication. It will scarcely bo suggested that we have even had our fair share of borrowed money. Nevertheless, the claims of Wellington are coolly ignored in the appropriations now under review. Some months ago we drew pointed attention to the field for development and closer settlement that lay close to our doors, in the lower Wainarapa, and the further need there was for a railway opening up the almost inaccessible but nevertheless fertile country between Masterton and Waipukurau. The settlers bestirred themselves, as a result of these representations, and the Minister for Public Works was persuaded to visit several parts of the Wairarapa and to receive. deputations. Certainly, hia attitude was not an encouraging one. He deplored the want of money, talked light railways, and recotnme'nded motor waggons. As we pointed out at the time, people in other parts of New Zealand who were clamouring for railway construction votes were not content with motor waggons, and there was no reason why we should allow our interests to be sacrificed for the advantage of others. _ In the Financial Statement appropriations this year, the only vote granted for the Wellington provincial district is a paltry £SOOO for the Peatherston-Martin-borongh line, authorised last year, which is practically nothing at all. Contrast this with the treatment of Auckland. In that provincial district seven separate railway lines are pro-

vidod with votes totalling about £315,000, while tho South Island is treated on an equally generous scale. In Mr Massey’s own electorate, and its immediate neighbourhood, £35,000 is being Toted for two small branch lines through country which docs not compare in point of importance with tho unopened portion of the Wairarapa. However, the Minister has given it as his opinion that motor waggons are good enough for the development of the Wellington provincial district, and some of our members have actually endorsed that view. Nevertheless, wo shall be made liable for our share of tho borrowed money that is being so liberally divided amongst tho other and more favoured provincial districts. The appropriations do not even provide for motor waggons for Wellington.