DEBATE ON THE RAILWAY BILL.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 69, 19 September 1893, Page 2

DEBATE ON THE RAILWAY BILL.

House of Representatives. Mr Sandford resumed the debate on the Government Railways Act Amendment Bill, speaking strongly in favor of the Bill and severely criticising the management of the Commissioners. Mr Mitchell opposed the Bill and defended the Commissioners. He suggested Government should rcappoint the Commissioners for another year, and leave the new Parliament to deal with the whole question of railway management. Mr Earnshaw, speaking in support of tho Bill generally, said he regretted Government Jjad not taken the bolder course of repealing the present Act altogether. Mr Buckland warmly defended the Commissioners from the attacks made upon them. Mr Fish said he hoped members would rise superior to party and yote against the Bill. He admitted the management of the railways should be brought into closer touch with Parliament, but the present Bill utterly failed to achieye this end. Mr E. M. Smith heartily supported the Bill, although he had nothing to say against the Commissioners personally. Mr Dnthie defended tho Commissioners. He said he would oppose the Bill at every stage. Mr Taylor spoke strongly in favor of the Bill. Mr G. Hutchison said the administra tion of the Commissioners had not been I altogether a success, and be was convinced of the absolute necessity for Parliamentary control. He supported the second reading. Dr Newman thought the Commissioners had on the whole done their work well, and advised Mr Seddon to be more careful of the charges he constantly made against the Commissioners. Mr Bruce strongly protested against the Bill, and said the Commissioners had always acted with credit to the colony. Mr Hogg supported the Bill, and condetuned the management of the Commissioners. Mr Wright, like other members, had some grievance against the Railway Commissioners, and if the Bill beforo the House offered any project of redress he would vote for it, but he saw no such prospect in the Bill. Mr Bnick thought if the Premier became a member of the Railway Board he would be an excellent officer. He was opposed to a Minister having the power of veto and would vote against the Bill, if it were retained. Mr Buchanan defended tho Commissioners from the attacks Mr Seddon made on them. He would not object to a Minister sitting on the board of Commissioners, but not on the terms set out in the Bill. Mr Saunders said the Bill was utterly mischievous, and be would oppose it in every stage. If the Bill was carried after the speech of the Premier there would be no alternative but for the present Commissioners to resign. The debate was adjourned on Mr Duncan's motion till 2.5J0 next day, the Premier announcing his determination not to take any other business till Mr Rolleston's amendment, which he considered of great importance was disposed of. The House rose at 2.10.