POLITICAL NOTES

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 26 September 1924, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES

THE RAILWAYS. » INQUIRY ON IMPROVEMENTS. (By Telegraph.— Special to the Star.) . WELLINGTON, Sept. 26 Among the questions asked of the Minister for Railways when the railways statement was presented, was whether the order of reference for the forthcoming commission was a wide one. . The Hon. J. G. Coates replied that it would cover everything. He was about to present to'Parliament a report on his own and the Government s suggestions for railway improvement, and no doubt the commission would pay attention to these items and say whether they were right or wrong, or if they had any alterations to suggest. He had not taken up the attitude that as the commission was to enquire lie need not trouble about the railways, but he had preferred, after twelve months’ experience of this portfolio, to', put his ideas for improvement on paper and let the commission “have a go at it.” Mr. Wilford: They will back vou up. Mr. Coates: They are my ideas, such as they are, and they have not been put into print without consultation with the railway authorities. SPOILS TG THE VANQUISHED Members laughed unfeelingly when Mr. Wright, Reform member for Wellington Suburbs, complained bitterly in the House to-day that- the Government was giving all "the plums to their political opponents. Formerly, he said, the spoils were for the victors, but ,thev now seemed to he for the vanquished. Indeed Mr. Masters (Stratford) had boasted that he had got more for his district than if he had been a Government supporter. (Laughter). Apparently the proper course was to oppose the Government to get anything done. Mr. -Wright said lie had not. been able to get anything for his district, not even a post office for Karori. (Laughter). The Government- gave the best things to the opposition. “I got one little thing,” lie admitted. The Minister for Railways started a train Jive minutes early for me. (Laughter). It was not an easy thing to do.” ' . . Mr. Forbes: Theiy what are you growling about? Mr. Wright: I '4m giving full credit for what T but it’s nothing to what Mr. Masters has got. (Laughter) . RAETTHI SETTLERS. When a. severe bush fire caused extensive damage to farmers in the Raetihi district the Government granted the settlers loans to restock and restore their pastures. The Premier remarked to-day that ti was to the credit of these settlers that they had repaid every copper.