Otago Trades and Labour Council and the Otago Central Railway.

Otago Witness, Issue 2105, 28 June 1894, Page 29

Otago Trades and Labour Council and the Otago Central Railway.

TO THEEDITOB. Sib. — I observe that at a recent meeting of the above council certain resolutions passed at a meeting held at Clyde regarding the vigorous prosecution of the Otago Central railway were "endorsed" with the exception of No 3, which referred to a loan, and which the council could not " endorse." But if the council approve and endorse the prosecution of this needful and national work, have they no brains, or are their tongues tied by the "powers that be" that they cannot suggest the means by •which the work is to be done ? "What is the use of endorsing the vigorous prosecution of this work when they know there is no money -to do it with ? Does this council along with the Dunedin membfers, and Mr Earnshaw in particular, intend to insult the settlers of Central Otago, who have as much right to the privileges of communication as the people along the coast, and who have been waiting for this railway for nearly 20 years ? Does Mr Earnshaw 1 or the Labour Council consider that a railway made at the rate of three or four miles a year is vigorous prosecution of the work ? And what is the good of their passing a resolution which simply means that the railway is to be pushed on without the means — a resolution that, to common sense carries absurdity on the face of it. Or is the whole thing merely a put off? From certain rumours and resolutions of members of the House and of certain trades unions, one would almost think that they wish to discourage the settlement of this country for their own sole interests and benefits, and that they are guilty of the unutterable folly of trying to stop the progress of settlement and population in this magnificent country. Is it possible that these people think that there is room for no more pgople in New Zealand than themselves, and that little over half a million is all the population that this country can carry? If such be the notions of one or all of these societies or of our Government or of any of our members of Parliament, it would be a good thing if they were all consigned to New Australia, or some other Utopia where greed and selfishness would reign supreme, and then they would be glad to get back to a country where true liberty reigned, and where there is work and room for millions if only the country be governed by men. of sound common sense and honourable principles. — I am, &c, Forwabd Zbal&hdia, June 26.

— The only claim that Eve has to greatness is that she made a great mistake. — Graphic.

The WoodviUe Examiner states that owing to the low prices of sheep several settlers in that district are killing their. culls and^ feeding pigs with the meat.