THE RAILWAY TAX.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 6, Issue 353, 2 May 1884, Page 2

THE RAILWAY TAX.

When the Waimea Plains Railway Company threw their bombshell in our midst, it was felt by many that settlement in the Waimea District would be considerably retarded. We are glad to find that fear on that head is groundless, the Agricultural Company having agreed to indemnify, all purchasers of land bought from them on and after May 1,1884, against elaims for the railway rate. The company have fixed prices for their land, and settlement need not now be stopped by any fear that the buyers will be sadd'ed with such a burdensome rate as that the Itailway I Company are attempting to impose. The lot ot existing settlers is a hard one, but wo are not without hope that the rate will be upset, and that the railway magnates will be taught that some conditions that they should have complied with have been disregarded. It is absurd to contend, as some people and papers have eontended, that the Waimea settlers should quietly submit to the laws of the country, becaus e the railway was authorised only on the strength of a distinct agreement, which should not have been broken. We believe some important information regarding the action of settlers in the Ashburton district will be laid before the next meeting of the .Railway Committee.