MANAWATU RAILWAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6362, 9 November 1907, Page 8

MANAWATU RAILWAY.

Ono of the most interesting items of tho Public Works Statement is that which deals with the acquisition by the Government of the Manawatu railway. During the second reading of tho Railways Classification Bill last night, the' Premier, referring to the Government’s notice of intention to acquire the line, said the Government proposed to take it not by negotiation of any kind, but by arbitration; in other words, under the agreement. When the railway became attached to tho State system, the employees w'ould bo placed in the same position in regard to rates 'of pay and superannuation now conferred upon Government railway employees. It may he added that under tho Railways Construction and Land -Act, 1881, tho Government is empowered, upon giving twelve months’ notice, to purchase the railway at a price to be determined by arbitration, the award being that of three arbitrators, or any two of them, ono chosen by the Governor, another by tire company, and a third hy tho other two arbitrators. Section 118 of this Act provides:—“lf such power shall be exercised by the Governor as aforesaid between the periods hereinafter respectively mentioned, after tho railway has been open for traffic, there shall be added to the amount of compensation to be ascertained as before provided the percentage hereinafter mentioned, that is to say—seven years and not exceeding fourteen years, five per cent; fourteen years and not exceeding twenty-one years, ten per cent. Tho amount of such percentage, as the case may require, shall be ascertained by the arbitrators, and bo deemed to bo and shall be paid as part of such compensation.”