Evening Post. SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1900.

Evening Post, Volume LIX, Issue 11, 13 January 1900, Page 4

Evening Post. SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1900.

THE MANAWATU RAILWAY. The Wellington Chamber of Commerce has wisely bi ought under the notice of tho new Minister for Railways the question of the Manawiftu Railway. This subject is of vital interest to residents in tho city a,nd the numerous settlers in the neighbouring districts. The ovils' that result from the divided management of the local railways have long been apr parent, and we are at a loss to understand why the Government has neglected to take action in the matter. Not only is there a want of unity in the arrangements for connecting the traffic on the Manawatu and Government railways respectively, but there appears also to be a deliberate* wish on tho Dart of the Do*

partmcnt to prevent harmonious working. The results are inconvenience, delay, and loss to tho travelling public and to the eountiy settlers. The settlers throughout the districts traveived by the Manawatu Railway are, as pointed out in tlie letter sent by tho Chamber of Commerce to. tho Hon. J. G. Ward, " unanimous in the desire that all the lines should be in tho hands of the Government," and it is obvious that such v, concentration of tho management would also prove of great advantage to tho city and the suburbs. The Manawatu trains would then be able to run to To Aro Station, a boon to the growing districts of South Wellington, and if the Hutt Railway were straightened in addition, we might then have the nucleus of an excellent suburban train service. There are several concessions which the public .have a right to expect in connection with the JVianawatu Line, but they cannot reasonably demand them from the Company so long as it is on its present precarious footing. Tho directors are forced to consider first the interests of the shareholders, and they cannob involve themselves in expenses that may never find an adequate return. An extension of the suburban service with season tickets would be appreciated by many, who would gladly take 1 up their residence in the suburbs served by the line. To the producers an eaily train, to arrive in the city for the morning market, would be a distinct benefit. Tho settlers in the Taranaki, Wanganui, and Rangitikei • districts, as well as passengers to and from those places, would gain considerably on the "through rates" if the management were consolidated. Owing to the break in the 'lines at Longburn two sets of through rates are charged, instead of one over distances covered partly by one and partly by the other railway. The distance from Wellington to Wanganui is 150 miles. The Company charges a through rate for 84 miles and tho Government charges a through rate for 66 miles, the two rates together being greater than the rate for 150 miles from New Plymouth. These and other such considerations make it plain that the public must be the gainers by the* Government taking over the Company's line. The time arrived some years ago when the public had a right to look for the full benefits obtainable from the Manawatu line, and it became plain that they could only be obtained by concentrating the whole railway system under State management. Nothing, however, has been done by the Government beyond instituting a system of severe competition with the Company, a competition which has in no wise benefited the people of these districts. Arrangements were made from the first for the ultimate purchase of the railway by the State. It was never intended that the Company should have a perpetual existence, nor would it be in the interests of. the country that it should do so. Everything points to the fact that the line must sooner or later pass into the hands of tho Government ; then why this hesitation, why this delay? Under the terms of the Company's lease the purchase money must increase unless the Government gives notice of its intention to buy this year. There is, therefore, a very cogent reason for taking the matter up promptly. The railway was opened for through traffic on Ist December, 1886, so that it. is now in its fourteenth year. According jto the powers of purchase vested, in the Government, the countiy can ac*quire the line by giving twelve months' notice, and paying the cost of construction (to be ascertained by arbitration) plus a bonus of 5 per cent if the notice be given before 1900. After that date the bonus to be paid the Company increases to 10 per cent. Three years ago in a speech at Plimmerton the Premier declared that there was no intention to disturb the Company, aud so far no attempt has been made to settle this vexed question. The public interests demand that there should be a settiement, and there are only two alternatives, either the Company must be secured in its title, or the Government must take over the line. The first alternative would only prolong the present inconveniences of divided control, and the second is the obvious course to adopt. The Manawatu Railway is an important link in the North Island Trunk system, and from every point of view should belong t6 the State. As for the financial aspect of the purchase, the railway has paid its shareholders well, and should be even more remunerative as part of the general railway system, of the colony, and if the Government has not the available ready money surely an arrangement could be made with the vendors for giving Government securities. The credit of the colony our political financiers assure us is established on a thoroughly sound basis. What reason, we would again ask, can there be for further delay? The new Minister would inaugurate his work well by making this important subject a policy question