THE MIDLAND RAILWAY DISPUTE. Wellington, April 30.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8172, 2 May 1895, Page 1

THE MIDLAND RAILWAY DISPUTE. Wellington, April 30.

Tho Premier has forwarded a reply to >Sir B. Burnsido's letter stating tliut there w.is much in i lio ropo.t of tho interview with tho Premier ut Auckland on tho subject of tho Midland Railway arbitration that was not in accoidauo with facto, mid was ii correct and misleading. Tlio Promior says it would havo been much hotter if Sir B. Burnsido hid delinitoly stated what was incur/ cct. " You must know that tho main statements aro correct, and there aro also statements in tho paragraph which i> would havo boon impossible for you to havo known at tho time you wroto cither directly or indirectly." The Premier s »ys : "Speaking on behalf of tho Government, Sir J. Pondergnst, any of the judges in tho colony, or any chief justico of tho other colonies, also puisne Judges A'Beckott and Owen, wero acceptable ' Mr Scddon procoeds to point out that though Sir It. Burnsido said that neither he nor Chief Justico Lilley feel justified in taking part in a public discussion of tho communications between them with respect tho selecting of an umpire, yet Mr Suit evidently felt no such scruples, if tho reported intorview with him was correct. Tho Promicr further states that tho Government has nothing to do with tho extension of tho matter to January yo, 180(5 Thoy were only apprised of it aftor tho two arbitrators had agreed to it.