Mr. J. P. Maxwell's Report.

The following production by Mr. J. P. Maxwell, which professes to be a report on my proposals, fairly illustrates the way in which our railway controllers have hitherto dealt with this important question.

This document was probably intended to be a piece of smart writing. Well, vulgarity and smartness, as a rule, are closely allied, and its vulgarity is only equalled by its want of truth. I need hardly say that I never made the ridiculous statements and proposals mentioned, while the opinions of the Press quoted at the commencement of this pamphlet prove that the public of New Zealand fully exonerates me from being actuated by the dishonourable motives imputed to me. The fact is, Mr. Maxwell was too prejudiced to examine my proposals, and never really understood what they were. It is a wonder any Crown Minister could be found to lay such a paper on the table of the House.