WELLINGTON-MANAWATU RAILWAY. Its Future as Part of our Railway System.

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 17, 27 October 1900, Page 6

WELLINGTON-MANAWATU RAILWAY. Its Future as Part of our Railway System.

NOW that the Government has been authorised to negotiate the purchase of the Manawatu Company's line, the 'possibility of acquisition is becoming a practical matter. That the purchase is desirable no one can for a moment doubt. In fact, the purchase is more than desirable — it is necessary. As it is impossible to calculate the amount of loss we suffer from the presence of an independent section between our Western Trunk Line and the natural terminus, the public system ought not to do without the Manawatu line. # # m It is, moreover, a very good line. Ably designed, faithfully constructed, properly furnished, and well manned, it requires no expenditure to enable it to take its place as a part of the Western Trunk Eailway system. As it pays 5 per cent, on the cost of its construction, the line will not entail any burden on the taxpayer. Besides being good in itself and profitable, the line will enable the Western Trunk Line to diminish the friction in its working and to increase its profits. To acquire the line will be -on all accounts good business. * * * Of course it is largely a question of terms, and the colony, fortunately, is not in a position to be forced to buy on any terms. The Company's Act fixes certain terms for its compulsory acquisition, which neither the Company nor the Government seem to be in love with. Hence the special Act which was passed to enable the parties to negotiate for their variation. As the Act specifically provides that the terms agreed upon shall have no eftect until sanctioned by Parliament, there can be no objection to that measure. Mr Ward admitted during its passage that the measure may be unnecessary, and certainly nothing prevented the parties from putting their heads together and coming to an agreement, subject to the ratification of the Legislature. But we must deal with facts, and the passage of the measure is a fact. Wken the terms of agreement are presented to Parliament, it will be possible to compare them with those of the Company's Act, and come to decision accordingly. The question was much discussed during the passage of the Act through the Lower House. Broadly speaking, the Company has been a public benefactor, and deserves liberal treatment. Ik worked for its own hand, no doubt. But it took up the line, and made it at its own risk, after the Government and the Legislature had condemned it. Therein it did its service, and therefore it should be considered.