THE DAY IN PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 70, 19 September 1930, Page 8

THE DAY IN PARLIAMENT

The Government had hoped at yesterday's sitting of tho House of Representatives to dispose of the debate on the Railways Statement and the Department's Estimates for the year. With that object in view, an early start was made on the debate, but it was not until shortly before the midnight rising hour that the last speech was made. The unfavourable financial position of the railway undertaking was of course paramount in the discussion, and members on all sides of the House had suggestions to make as to the cause of the present losses and for^ curing the ills the system is suffering from. When the Estimates were reached an amendment was quickly presented from the Labour benches for the reduction of the departmental vote of £6,378,003 by £10 as an indication of disapproval of the Minister's policy of making dismissals from the Department, and of his action in reducing coal orders to the mines, so affecting the operation of, the industry. Labour gained the support of seven members from the Reform and Independent benches, but : the amendment was defeated by 40 votes to 24. Further progress on the Estimates was interrupted,by the adjournment. ' - IS HE A SOCIALIST? A declaration by the Labour member for Napier (Mr. W. E. Barnard) in favour of removing tho control of the railways from political influences drew a, retort from Mr. D. Jones (Reform, Mid-Canterbury) that Mr." Barnard had deserted the principles of Socialism. Mr. J6nes said it was surprising to hear Mr. Barnard deserting the principles of Socialism so far as to advocate the removal of the control of the railways from the State. Mr. F. Lye (United, Waikato): "He's not a Socialist." Mr. Jones said that Mr. Barnard was supporting private enterprise. Mr. Barnard: "You are only telling half-truths." Mr. Jones: "I am quoting the honourable member's own words." A CONFESSION. Political lines and political stops are greatly to blame for the present position of the railways, according to Mr. B. A. Wright (Reform, Wellington Suburbs). "The railways can never be put on a proper commercial basis," he said in the Hous.e of Representatives yesterday, "as long as they are under the control of the House. The Reform Party is to blame as much as any other party. As long as I can remember— and that goes back a number of years —the Minister of Railways has been worried by requests from members on behalf of his constituents. Some have wanted timetables altered and others have wanted new stopping places, and in the long run pressure has become greater and greater'until we have the position which we arc in to-day."

A MATTER OP COMPETENCE,

"The present Leader,of the Opposition is one of the best Ministers of Bailways that this country has ever had," declared Mr. F. Waite (Eeform, Clutha) in- the House of Bepresentatives last night, in defending Mr. Coates against criticism of his administration, which had been levelled by the Hon. W. B. Taverner, the late Minister in Charge of the Railway Department. ' '"'.';

Mr. Waite went on to'refer to "a political dud like the late Minister."

He was called to order by Mr. Speaker, who asked him to withdraw the remark.

Mr. Waite: "I will withdraw, Mr. Speaker, and say that he was recognised throughout New Zealand as a political failure, and as hopelessly incompetent."

Mr. Waite declared that the late Minister should not criticise, for he was himself peculiarly open to attack.

RAILWAY REFRESHMENTS.

A suggestion that the price' of counter refreshments on railway stations might be reduced was made by Mr. W. H. Field (Reform, Otaki) when referring in the House of Representatives yesterday to the profit made by the refreshment branch of the service.

"I think," he said, "that/the friendly sandwich and cup of tea might be reduced to sixpence. It would be a popular move in view of the fact that the refreshment branch took £94,000 last year and £103,000 on the" previous year. If the Department made the reduction it would increase the trade. Sixpence is within the Teach of nearly every traveller, but many hesitate before spending eightpence or a shilling. ?'• LEVEL CROSSING MENACE. The level crossing problem was raised by Mr. W. H. Meld (Reform, Otaki) during the discussion on the Railways Statement in the House of Eepresentatives yesterday. ' "The dangers of level crossings,'* he said, "present one of the most serious problems in connection with our railways. There are several dangerous crossings in my electorate, and although much has been done to warn the public, we will never get rid of these death-traps until ramps, bridges, or subways are constituted. There is always a number of drivers who will not take the necessary precaution."

He said that the residents in his district were quite prepared to erect bridges in some cases, but the charge demanded by the Department for building these was considered too high. In one instance a bridge, in his opinion, could have been erected for £200, but the Department wanted .■£Boo. This charge included maintenance and repairs in the future.