Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1878.] WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 1894. THE MANAWATU RAILWAY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4739, 6 June 1894, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1878.] WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 1894. THE MANAWATU RAILWAY.

SECOND EDITION

The Now Zealand Times publishes an article favorable to the Government taking over the Manawatu Railway, but singularly enougli altogether overlooks the main consideration -which should determine the purchase. Prom Woodvillc to Wellington there are two routes, the Gdyc'nunent. arterial line and the Company's lino, ..Politicalpressure, which,will not bear investigation, caused a former Government to complete through communication with tho Manawatu line, in'phiceof .filling in the unmade link on its own railway. In other words, the colony presented the company with its through traffic, and although the Stato has unduly taxed the private line, it has certainly given it advant. ages in other respects, that ought not, to have been conceded. If any arrangement bo arrived at between the Colony and the Company, it is obvious that the latter will be protected, by its able board of directors, and it therefore follows that the colonial interests should be closely watched.. If this be done the Government will complete theformation of tho sectionbetwoenEkotahunaand Woodyillo heforo taking over the Manawath railway. When this link is finished, a considerable proportion of the through traffic will comevia tho Wnirarapn, and then, and not till then, will theGovcrnmentbe able to justly appreciate the worth of the Manawatu line to tho Colony. Now that it has a monopoly of the through traffic, it is'afc a premium, but this is not the time to buy it, Still, it always will he a very valuable line of communication, and the country on both sides of the ranges is rich enough to-'support a double line of railway between Woodvillc and Wellington. Nevertheless the Company's lino is now carrying traffic which, onght, long before this to have como through tho Wairarapa, and until such traffic does come this way it would bo h.' mistake for the State to take over the Manawatu railway. What w really:, needed is the prompt completion ot the. thropgji line, and then the'question of taking flyer the : Company's liiie coiild be settled op fy fair basis..,-,,...' !