VIEW HILL NOTES.

Oxford Observer, Volume V, Issue V, 12 May 1894, Page 3

VIEW HILL NOTES.

BtDemos. At the opening of a portion of the Otago Central Railway on tne Ist inst. the Colonial Treasure is reported to have said "it was the duty of the Government to see that the works were pushed on as speedily as the means available would permit, consistent with equal justice to the other parts of the colony. It was impossible that it could be pushed on as rapidly as desired without a loan and borrowing was inconsistent with the policy of the Government. " We are treated with, this stock argument from Ministers and M.H.R's continuously. Whenever it is necessary to put off the unemployed, or any necessity arises for justification of delay m carrying on important and necessary public works. It can only be the fear of offending the banks and Loan companys that prevents our Bepresentatives from making use of the most legitimate institution we could possibly have, namely a State Bank for the carrying on of such really necessary and reproductive works as the Otago Central. It is well known to ail thinking and heading persons that there is no necessity m the world for delaying the pushing on of our Eailways to paying points, and when the unemployed are crying out for work so as to earn bread for those dependent upon them, surely it 13 the duty of che Government to give them the work. ; We all know that there is no end of necessary work that must be done some time and that is even now urgently needed, if settlement is to go on m the outlying districts, why then is not this work pushed on while private imployment is scarce? Members of the Government say they are doing all they can with the money at their disposal but when men, women and children are m want, not even the want of ready •money, should stand m the way. Let the Government give any sort of "Promise to pay" even 1.0. U. or better still Postal Notes to the men for work and not one honest working man would for. a moment refuse to work for such payment, knowing any storekeeper, butcher or baker m the colony would only be too pleased to take them m exchange for goods, then when Parliament meets steps could be taken to establish a State Bank. They will have to do so sooner or later, the people will demand it, — indeed are demanding it already. The circumstances of the colony require it, if no more foreign money is to be borrowed and of course no sensible person would be foolish enough to act m so suicidal a manner as to borrow from abroad, to pay for works which can be done just as well by the use of State Bank notes; and the interest thu3 saved to the colony.