NEW ESTIMATES.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9854, 6 November 1924, Page 4

NEW ESTIMATES.

DISCUSSION AN THE HOUSE.

RAILWAY COMMISSION EXPEXWEMJNGTON, XV. 5. The House went into Committee of Supply to consider the supplementary estimates. Several members made appeals for additions to salaries in various branches of the Public Service. The Premier replied that most of the employees were provided for in various sections of the Estimates.

The vote for the Legislative Department, £949-5, was passed at 8.50 p.m. On' the vote for the Railway Department of £95,044, Mr. Fraser took exception to the item of £BOOO for the commission of inquiry into the working ol : the railways of New Zealand. The sneaker contended that this was exceedingly large and he wanted to he given some details. The Hon. J. G. Coates said a. special train had been fitted up to accommodate the commissioners, who were living on the railways while they were making enquiries. He was not prepared to sav what this train had cost, because, when they did that sort of thing, they just did it. Each commissioner was receiving £2500, with £4OO each to three secretaries who were travelling with them, plus all expenses. The vote on the Estimates included about £IOOO more than’ [ would be required, because they desired to be on the safe side. It might he thought the Commission was costly, hut if it could save the State £50,000 per yea,r. it would be a profitj able arrangement. ; - Mr. Fraser objected to the Commissioners travelling “in regal style” as this was heaping up the expense. The vote passed. On the vote of £IOOO for the Cook Islands, Air. O’Brien again raised the question of women being employed at road-making on Niue Island. He sav,-* that there was a photograph in ex-

istence showing this to b» tk« cense, j The Hon. Sir Alaui Pomare said | that his information* from the Commissioner on the point was emphatic. Women were not so employed. Air. Holland said that he had today received a letter from a native woman on Niue Island confirming his previous charges. He thought that there was something for the Alinisier to inquire into. Sir Af. Pomare said that he had im--1 plicit confidence in his Commissioner, j Air. Hollar'd suggested that something might be going on of which the Commissioner did not knew. ! Sir AI. Pomare said that was not likely.

The chairman, at this stage, indicated that the discussion was out of order and the vote passed. Speakin'g on the Public Health Department vote of £39,168, Sir AT. Pomare said, with regard to the Spahlinger treatment for consumption he was not satisfied anything of value had yet beer discovered and he would cozitirJue to be a “doubting Thomas” until the efficacy of the cure had been proved. On the Defence Department vote of £32,249, Air. AViiford complained that a grant of £IOOO was insufficient- to help the National Rifle Association’. Four times that amount would be required.

Sir H. Rhodes replied that the Rifle Association received other concessions as well. Alembers were well satisfied with what was being done for them.

Air, AViiford: No. net satisfied

The Alinisier replied that they were well satisfied. He had not received a single complaint-, while he received many letters expressing gratification. Tlie vote passed. The total votes were then passed. ' —Press Assn.