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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 58
1. Mr Grace on the Railway Question
1. Mr Grace on the Railway Question.
In order to show the urgent necessity for the Bay of Plenty settlers taking immediate action in the direction indicated by our pamphlet, by at once signing and returning to us the annexed application for membership in "the Bay of Plenty Railway Association" we append extracts from our [unclear: hatim] report of the proceedings at Air Grace's meeting in Tauranga on 7th mat:—
"The most important matter is our Railway. I hope every success to the company with the matter now in hand. I hope they will be successful. But if they are not quick in settling the matter in London I fear it the Tauranga people don't look out they will fall between two stools. Government are, this session, bringing down certain borrowing proposals for connecting and extending all the railways throughout the Colony. These will come down early in the session. I wish those with the railway in hard to keep me well informed as to their syndicate, and I will endeavour, when these proposals come down to have our railway scheduled provisionally. If the Company cannot float the undertaking in Louden, then it will be taken in hand by the Government. I would also endeavour to have an extension to Opotiki from Gisborne, and from Tanranga to the Thames. If Government, in bringing down these proposals, are not willing to extend to this District a fair share, I shall not support them."
In support of our contention that Government should help those who help themselves, we append the following extract from the same report:—
page 13
Mr. Robert Home put the following question to Mr. Grace:—"As the Borough has not received, in the opinion of the Native Minister, unci others concerned, a fair share of the endowments to which it is entitled under "The Municipal Corporations Act," will you try to ace that, if we cannot get land inside of the Borough, we shall got it outside? Let us get our rights. We woo't get them till we bring pressure to bear. We have not got half justice, or one third justice"
In answer Mr Grace said:—"It will always give me pleasure to do my best. The only lauds available are Native Reserves. I shall again bring the matter before the Minister of Lands, and see whether they can't change these Native Reserves, that is, give the Natives land outside of the town, so as to relieve these lands, and enable them to be given over to the Borough. I think it might be arranged. Mr. Ballance is willing to meet the requirements of the District, that is, to meet us half way"