HAWKE'S BAY RIVERS BILL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 25, 24 October 1919, Page 10

HAWKE'S BAY RIVERS BILL

PROTECTION AGAINST FLOODS. _Tlw ],ocal Bills Committee of the Upper House yesterday .reported tho Hawkc's JJuy Hirers Bill without amendment. The Hon. W. J. Geildis moved time the Uill bo referred hack to committeo for f :irrher consideration. He did not think that the committee had realised ■"•ho importance of'the matter dealt with. As tho Bill had originally been drafted,a loan for the works mentioned in it was permitted to bo uiised without a poll of the ratepayers. A clause inferred in "another place" required a poll to bo taken, ami tho effect of the clause was to kill the Bill and deprive the Hivers Board of necessary finances. Ho was speaking in the interests of the small farmers who-were exposed to the greatest danger from floods. He feared that thoso to whom it \yas vital that the works should be carried out would bo outvoted by tho majority of tho peoplo in the district, who were in no, danger and might merely consult their own interests Tho Hon. .T. B. Gow supported Mr. Geddis's. motion. Sir Francis Bell suggested that Mr. Geddis might move an amendment in committee on the Bill. Mr. Geddis explained that he wished the committee to hear further evidence. The Hon. .1. T. Paul thought that tho responsibility for protecting certain districts against floods was a national one. The Hoii. It. Moore, as a member of tho committee, said he had no objection to the Bill Tjeing further considered. Ho admitted that there were exceptional features in tho case of the Hawke's Bay district. The Hon. 0. Snmuel considered that if the Bill wcro to go back to committee, those interested should be communicated with and given an opportunity of tendering more evidence. Mr. Geddis's motion was carried.