Auckland as the Galled Jade.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5454, 30 October 1885, Page 2

Auckland as the Galled Jade.

THE BEDUCED PUBLIC WORKS EXPENDITURE. RETRIBU'IIVE JUSTICE. [SrKCIAI. TO THB " STAR."] [In the subjoined telegram, which is referred to in our leader column, we have ventured to italicise soiue of the choicer phrases.] AUCKLAND, Oct. 2». Referring to the Government's intention to appropriate the North Island Railway loan to general expenditure, the Ster says : — " There ifc this merit about Sir Jnliut? Vogel's methods : when he means to perform any political legerdemain, he is careful to exhibit hiß apparatus in full view of a gullible public, with the usual showman's phrase, ' Everything fair, you soe j no deception.' It is to this admirable and ingenious trait of Yogi I's character we are indebted for a full, true, and particular account of how tbe great ' Cabinet trick ' iB to be performed of placing a millios pounda sterling iv a -securely sealed casket, and by tho word** ' Presto, ohange,' and a wave of the magic wand, transferring the million into a lot of little matchboxes arranged on the stage." After discussing the subject, the ai ticle concludes : — " The principal conjuror, we should add, is not only profuse, Imt gracious. He add* to his telegram thiß delicious clause: '1 have given you this lengthy explanation, but of course the simple answer to your question iB, Government does not intend to do anything but what the law requires.' ' What the law requires.' Wo thank thee, Julius, for teaching us that word ; but w* claim that action iv this matter should proceed on the linos of a higher law than that of a hucksterer and atock jobber, the law, to wit, of political honesty aud good faith. If we get what that law requires, we shall get the million loan devoted as soon as raised to tho Trunk Railway, to connect the centres of population in the North Island. It is just possible that Ministers hopo by this procedure to coerce Northern members into (-auctioning tho East and West Coaat and Nelson Railway. There could bo no mora stupendous mistake committed, lt ia not* with the warmth of a fervid prophet who dimly' foresees calamity, but with the calm assurance of a mathematician stating a demonstration, tliat we warn Ministers that the result of persevering in this polioy will not be only the certain defeat of tha infamous Railway party, but tho downfall of the Siout-Yogel Government. That is what another ' law ' will require, tho law of Retribution, which, though sometimes deferred iv its operation, is unfailing aad sure." The If era Id closes au articlo on tho Bame subject thus :— ■ "Wo should think that law, not to icontion common honesty and justice, re-,-ait tri chat monoy borrowed uuder the North Island Main Trunk Railway Loan Act should be devoted to that purpose and no othor ; but Sir J. Yogel sees an opportunity of having the whip-hand of tho North Island members during the noxt session, and compelling them to yield to him in regard to thoconstruction of tho Eaat and West Coast Railway. Tho money for tho Trunk Railway will be all gone bofore the Houae meets. If the work is to be continued we must authoriso furthor borrowing, and this! must include provision for tho East and West Coast Railway. North Island lnorxibers may conscientiously think that there should be no further borrowing, that we should be content with spending thouvwy

•already authorised ; but then Ministers will gay, 'The money you authorised for the Trunk Railway is already gone on other things, and you must continue to borrow.