MIDLAND RAILWAY ROUTE.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14841, 5 December 1913, Page 4

MIDLAND RAILWAY ROUTE.

PASSENGERS AN_> MAILS. A SHARP 3>ISCU£«IO-_ IN THE ! HOUSE. (SFECU- TO f' f THE PBESS.") WELLINGTON, December 4. A shar- discussion sprang up in the House of Representatives this afternoon on the report from the Public Petitions Committee on a petition from Messrs Cassidy and Co., coach proprietors, Otira. Thh petition was a lengthy one, and had reference to the carriage of passengers between the railheads across the South Island. Messrs Cassidy used to have the contract for mails, and claimed as of rlgnfc with it the carriage of passengers. Tho Department objected to this, and in due course new tenders for mail carriage were called- This left the question of passengers open, but Cassidy alleges that alter his rival (Hall) received this, the Department gave him tne old right of carrying passengers with the mails. To this Cas-tdy objected, and petitioned. The Publio Petitions Committee reported this afternoon: —"lhat it recommends the petition to the Governmeat for favourable consideration. The Hon. W. H. Herries, -Minister of Railways, said that as Minister of Railways, he desired to move an amendment to the report of the Committee. He would move that all the words after "that" be omitted, with a view to inserting the words, "the petition be referred to the Railways Committee for report." He-thought this petition should have been sent there first, and he now moved his amendment, so that the committee could report on the merits of the case. Mr Witty suggested that the petition would be blocked if it were sent to the Railways Committee. There was 6o much business that it might be held over till next -ear, which would be unfair. Petitioner had been np from Christchurch several times and it would be unfair to bring him up again. If the Government thought the recommendation was wrong then it should throw it out, but there waa no reason to send it back to the other committee. Mr Davey also opposed the amendment. Why did the Railway Department not give evidence before the Public Petitions Committee? He thought it probable that the petition would be held over till next year, and he asked the Minister to withdraw his amendment and let the matter go to Cabinet, where it could be fought out. Mr Dickson said that the Railway Denartment had not produced evidence before the committee. He had understood from Mr McVilly that evidence taking up two hours would be produced. Another meeting had detained Mr McVilly that morning, so he had been unable to attend the meeting. He supported the amendment. Air Forbes said the committee should be independent; there should be no pique it the committee voted against I the Government. The amendment, he said, was a complete attempt to burke enquiry this year. Mr Dickie also spoke in support of the petitioner, and went somewhat into tho merits of the case. Mr Isitt characterised the whole discussion as "a delicious exhibition of potty and contemptible party spirit." (Ironical Government "Hear, hears".) When the case came on at tne committee that morning, he said there was no Government man present to' give evidence. Accordingly the committee did the best thing in the circumstances and made its recommendation. Mr Cassidy was present that morning to continue his evidence. Mr Isitt said that the whole case was a vendetta between the Department and Mr Cassidy. Mr Cassidy had had a contract with the .Department which enabled' him to claim as a right tho conveyance of all passengers betwoen the rail heads. The Department did not like this, and when the contract expired, the Department said it would nevor make such a con.tract again. Tenders for mail carriage which left the question open wore called. Cassidy's rival, Hall and Co., secured the.contract, and then Cassidv was surprised to learn that the old position of giving the tenderer the exclusive right to passengers was to be gone .back to. This was undoubtedly wrong, and there was no purpose in moving the matter back to the Railway Committee. The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher said that that morning a meeting of tho Government Party had been held, so that no Government members attended tho committee "till late. In their absence the committee passed several petitions. Cassidy's contract did not give the right to the passengers, hut it "was a custom. Cassidy did not object till Hall got the contract. The committee that morning elected Mr Isitt as chairman. At three minutes to ten Mr McVilly was advised to attend, but when he did arrive, he found the matter through. Mr Bradney (chairman of the committee) said there had been a determined attempt to force the petition through in the absence of the Government members. '. . ■

At this point the hour of 5.30 p.m. arrived and the Speaker left the chair for the dinner adjournment. • The Prime Minister suggested that the, question should be put. Mr B.radney.* completing his speech, said that Mr Isitt took advantage of his position to rush this petition and six others through in* the space of half an hour.

On the amendment going to the voices it was carried without a division being called for.