South Canterbury Times, MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1884.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3357, 7 January 1884, Page 2

South Canterbury Times, MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1884.

Some of our contemporaries, notably the “ Otago Daily Times ” complains of the disposition exhibited by the Agent-General, Sir Francis Dillon Bell to place the New Zealand Shipping Company and the Shaw Savill Albion Co. on the same footing. The “ Times ” pleads that the former Company by their spirited venture have earned for themselves the first consideration, and a prior claim to the gratitude, sentimental and’substantial, of the colony—whereas the latter company have waited to follow the lead of their rivals. All this, as a piece of special pleading is admirable, and if only the rival companies were concerned we should, without hesitation, approve of the N.Z. Shipping Company having the first share of any good things in the way of subsidies that might be going—for we would reward courage and energy in the service of the public. But there is a third party, viz., the public, who has the strongest of all claims to consideration, and in their interest we are decidedly opposed to anything that savors of monopoly. The N.Z. Shipping Company, like an individual, might grow fat and useless by pampering, and we should be glad to see them hard-run by rivals. Competition means increased facilities and cheaper rates for

the public. There is another matter to be observed in this connection—there is a very general impression abroad that the N. Z. Shipping Company is not over-zealous for the comfort of all classes of passengers by its steamers. As we have before remarked, we are not disposed to lend a ready ear to all complaints emanating from the steerage of passenger vessels —but really in the case of these steamships the complaints have been so frequent, and such strenuous efforts have been made to muzzle the complaints that we are unavoidably led to the conclusion that there must indeed be something in them. Another company starting with the determination to mend matters in the steerage, would assuredly gain a good deal of popular favor, and the older company would be compelled to reverse its policy in this matter. This would lead to an amelioration of the condition of hundreds and thousands of immigrants, and this is no light matter. In the public interest, let competition flourish. We certainly shall not raise any protest against it, especially in the public conveyance line. Travelling in Great Britain has been rendered pleasanter, easier and altogether more enjoyable by the keenness of the competition between rival lines of railway and steamboats,and in a keen competition in the direct steam service to this colony, the colony most be a great gainer, “ The survival of the fittest,” is the universal law—and it is a law at which, as far as the matter in question is concerned, the public have reason to rejoice.

The Eangitata traffic-bridge is becoming an intolerable burden to the Geraldine County Council. The leechliko persistency with which the Ashburton County Council sticks to and bleeds its brother of Geraldine, coupled with the fact that “ the whole countryside ”is agitated by a desire to be rid of the County Council and substitute a road board government system, is surely enough to drive the persecuted Council to suicide in anticipation of the desire of the Levels Road Board to “knock it on the head.” The Ashburton Council, not satisfied with receiving payment of the Geraldine County’s moiety of the cost of constructing the new bridge are now about to demand payment of interest on the account for the time between its being rendered and the payment, and it is further gently hinted that as the old bridge wants re-decking, Geraldine had better contribute also towards that cost, the work to be done, however, as the Ashburton Engineer may direct. This is a pretty kettle of fish, truly ! The demand for payment of interest is simply monstrous, as we can easily show if necessary, and the suggestion re decking the old bridge, if it should be made, would be a bit of sheer impertinence, and we trust the Geraldine County will fight out these matters to the bitter end.