MIDLAND RAILWAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4760, 28 September 1893, Page 3

MIDLAND RAILWAY.

Discussion in the House. [from our special correspondent.'! WELLINGTON, Sept. 27. Consideration of the report of the Public Accounts Committee on the proposed modification of the Company's contract was , sixth on the Order Paper to-day, and it was fully expected that the debate would come on this evening. At the afternoon sitting Mr Guinness asked the Premier whether he had received a communication from the Manager of the Midland Railway Company since the date of the Public Accounts Committee deciding upon its report, and if so, would he lay it upon the table for the information of members ? Sir R. Stout followed with a further ; question, asking that the map attached to the original contract be laid on the table, marked so as to show what lands had already been selected by the Company. The Premier, in reply, promised to have the map produced as desired. He would also lay on the table a letter received from Mr Wilson, in which the Company stated that it was prepared lo accept the recommendationa of the Committee. About 10 p.m., when the subject was reached on the Order Paper, the Premier moved that this order ba postponed till the i two following ones Lad "been dealt with. • Mr Guinness requested the Premier to Ii make the Midland Railway debate the first order for to-morrow. It was a question upon which ho personally should

have a good deal to say, and if it came on at a late hour he would not be able to do it justice. Sir R. Stout hoped the Premier would accede to this requeßt. The Premier objected to the postponement, and said there were many members opposed to the Committee's rei commendations, and the longer the matter , was delayed the worse it would get. Sir John Hall said a delay of one day could i not make much difference. In reply to Mr Taylor, who wished to know whether the Government would move that the recommendations of the Committee be adopted, the Premier said he would make an intimation on that point in due course. Prom what I can gather I have reason to believe that the Premier's intention is to move that the report be adopted with the excision of the clause adding 15 per cent to the price of the lands, the effect being that the Company would only receive the original schedule value of the lands to be surrendered. This, it will be remembered, waa the firat resolution of the Committee, but on learning that the Company could not posaibly arrange its finances on that basis, it was reßolved to add 15 per cent; that resolution being carried by the Committee in Mr Seddon's absence. If the Premier now makes this a party question there is a chance of the Committee's recommendations being rejected by the House ; and an influential deputation is being arranged to wait on the Premier to-morrow morning, and endeavour to obtain hia support to the Committee's report. This is the turning point in the negotiations, and every possible influence that can be exerted by those in favour of completing the East and West Coast line ought to be brought to bear promptly and effectively.