RAILWAYS.
[WES'ITOIIT EYEJtnrS STAR.] The guarantees given by the various Provincial Governments to secure pay*ment of interest on monoj's to bo expended on railways, under the Public Works and Immigration Scheme, may possibly only need enforcement in very few instances, and in none at all if the anticipated flow of population results from the opening up of new country, but it is also possible, and in fact probable, that many lines now in course of construction, especially the so called "political" lines, will not for some years to come yield more than scant returns, and the provinces will be called upon to make good tbeir re-
sponsibilities. In sucK a case property rating would follow as the only direct means of raising the money required without interfering with ordinary Provincial revenues, and this contingency demands tho attention of Provincial legislators and of the people, if the avoidance of trouble like that recently experienced in a neighboring colony, . and under similar circumstances, woidd be attained. The recent disturbances in Tasmania arose from tho determination ot the Government to enforce the collection of a railway rate. The circumstances under which such rate became leviable are almost coincident with arrangements made for securing interest on railway expenditure in New Zealand. A railway from Launceston to Doloraine was projected, but it was found that for some years to come the traffic thereon would not yield sufficient revenue to cover working expenses. The government declined to make the line unless the land was given for nothing by private owners, and that they should also guarantee the payment of any loss sustained in working the line. On these conditions tho railway was built, and from the running of the first train until the present time it never paid expenses. Repudiation then became tho order of the day among those who gave the guarantee, and they sought, by fair means and foul, to throw their responsibility upon the general revenues of the colony. The Tasmanian Government objected, and ordered levies to be made upon the property of tho guarantors. AVhereat much angry feeling was evoked, the populace of Launceston roused to deeds of mischief, and disturbances prevailed, but the result has been that firmness on the part of the Government, after a little time, effectually quelled all turbulent inclinations, and the railway rates are now being paid. Tho rioters found no outside sympathy, and were fain to submit at discretion. It is not impossible that some such misunderstanding may yet eventuate in New Zealand unless the terms and conditions upon which railway works are now being constructed are well and distinctly defined to the understandings of the people.
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Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1157, 10 March 1874, Page 4
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441RAILWAYS. Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1157, 10 March 1874, Page 4
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