A NEW POLICY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1777, 12 December 1885, Page 2

A NEW POLICY.

AN EXTENSIVE PUBLIC WORKS SCHEME. MAIN TRUNK LINES TO BE COMPLETED AND IMMIGRATION RESUMED. UNIVERSAL PROSPERITY PROMISED. (FROM OUB OWN CORRESPONDENT) Wellington, December 4. I have grounds for believing that a new policy of a highly sensational nature is in contemplation, and will be proposed by Sir Julius Vogel next session, or x>robably disclosed at some earlier date. This expected policy consists in a proposal — ■ That New Zealand shall at once undertake the construction and completion with the utmost possible speed, of' all main trunk lines throughout the Colony, including the Otago Central, Canterbury and West Coast, Nelson and West Coast, North Island Trunk line, and East and West connection through Manawatu Gorge.

That at the same time assisted'immigration shall be resumed on a large scale to provide the labour required beyond what New Zealand can furnish.

That simultaneously there shall be a vast opening up of land for settlement on such favourable terms as to settle the labouring classes on the land as employment on the public works gradually ceases. That where necessary, lands for this purpose shall be acquired from Natives in the North Island, and purchased back from large property owners at fair market prices, as suggested by Sir George Grey in his draft bill of last sassion, to be disposed of in small allotments on very easy terms for bonajide settlement. That inducements shall be offered to Large and small capitalists to immigrate, by enabling them to come out at the same rate of passagemoney as to Colonies nearer England, the Government contributing the balance or refunding its value in land, and affording other facilities for the settlement of persons who would improve the land and employ labour.

That every effort shall be made to start new industries and assist them by State aid, either through a moderate Protective tariff or otherwise, so that as public works are finished those engaged on them may find other employment on land for settlement ready to their hands.

That for these purposes a large loan of eight or ten millions shall be raised at the earliest favourable opportunity.

If my anticipations are correct it will be argued that by taking this course the existing depression would at once be eased, property would rise in value, and some now unsaleable would become marketable. Produce would rise through increased local demand and the arrivals of new population. Business would become brisk, and all the time this large expenditure lasted prosperity would reign far and wide, while it would not be merely ephemeral, for if the above programme is carried out the conclusion of the works expenditure would leave the Colony with an immensely increased and thriving population settled on the land or engaged in remunerative industries, so that the additional burden of taxation being divided among a larger number, and those more prosperous, would not be nearly so much felt as a small amount is at present. The railways, too, as a whole would, if finished, and with a large industrial population settled as above described, return full interest on the cost, if. indeed, they did not aid revenue as well, so that all these benefits would virtually be obtained at little cost, if any. I anticipate also that Sir Julius Vogel would argue that his failure last session was due to his proposals being only half measures, and not thorough, in consequence of which there were rivalries and animobities among the advocates of the various lines, such as the Otago Central, East and West Coast, North Island Trunk, &c, which would be avoided by a comprehensive scheme for simultaneously undertaking the whole. I give these important rumours simply, for what they are worth, but they are supported by strong circumstantial evidence, and are, I know, fully credited by people in a position to judge probabilities. It is thought that the Cabinet may not be unanimous in

agreeing to so bold and sweeping a policy, but that Sir J. Vogel will, if necessary, appeal to the country against either Parliament or even his present colleagues. It is remarked that it will be absolutely necessary that the Government should bring down some attractive policy next session, as they came so ill out of last session's fighting, escaping defeat by the sacrifice of all their chief measures, including their financial -policy (including the new tariff), local finance, public works, and Native lands. Several supporters too openly stated they only voted with the Government because they had been directly pledged uo oppose Major Atkinson, whom the defeat of the Stout-Vogel Ministry must practically have placed in office, and that after explaining to their constituents they should take the other side. However this may be, the fact clearly remains that Ministers must make a bold stroke to rehabilitate their damaged prcstiye ; otherwise, if they merely face Parliament with a recast of last session's rejected policy, and with a still more Protective tariff, they would assuredly be beaten, and if they dissolved would be defeated also in the country. But if this uevv policy be proposed, even if the House refused to entertain it, an appeal must of course be granted oil such an issue, and it is by no means certain how such a scheme would be viewed by the electors. In some cases it would assuredly be received with enthusiasm, and the result of a general election on that basis might be to place Sir J. Vogel in a position of supreme power.

I think it right to let you know what is rumoured to be impending, as the matter is so important, and it is desirable that it should receive all possible discussion. I am quite prepared to hear of an inspired denial that such a scheme is in contemplation ; but these would not shake my conviction in the view of the ground on which it is based, that the design is as repotted, although no doubt its disclosure is premature. That, however, is not my business. I strongly suspect that such a policy will find great favour in many quarters — some, perhaps, rather unexpected — and if placed before the public in the attractive guise with which Sir Julius Vogel's special ability in that direction would enable him to invest it, would certainly command a large amount of support, and if carried would be the biggest thing Sir Julius Vogel has done yet. I may have something more to tell you on this subject shortly.