POLITICAL JOTTINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 October 1928, Page 7

POLITICAL JOTTINGS

RAILWAY SAFETY. A question put to Mr T. I). Burnett at Tennika was:—“ (1) What is the margin of safety in regard to the renewal of railway track? I understand that it is 140 miles a year. (2) And is it also not a fact that the Reform Government lias allowed this to dwindle down to as low as six miles a year? (3) Has this any direct result in bringing about numerous derailments on the railways?”

1 n reply, Mr Burnett said that he was not a railway expert, but the matter had already been brought up in the House of Representatives by Mr Vcitch, member for Wanganui, who was an old railway man. The speaker was of opinion that quite a number of the derailments were due to the desire of the public for a faster service.

“CONSIDERING” IT. Asked at Blenheim what he thought Mr Coates meant when he said lie would “consider” the completion of the Main South lines after the West-port-Inangahua section of the Midland Railway had been built, Mr Girling said lie, believed the Prime Minister meant that he would push on with it. A voico: “I think it will be something like the courthouse.we were told about last election.”

WHAT SIR JOSEPH HAS DONE. “ Sir Joseph Ward had given people among other fine legislation, the Advances to Settlers Act, which had been described as one of the marvels of finance, while the Advances to Workers Act and Old Age Pensions Act were further measures for which the people had to thank Sir Joseph Ward. Penny postage and the present efficient mail service were excellent examples of his great service- to the country, while his work at Imperial Conferences had attracted world-wide attention.” —Mr Loughnan, at Palmerston. CREAM AND JAM.

“ Air Coates went Home to settle the Dairy Control matters and what actually happened ? He gave Tooley Street the bottle of milk and left the dairy farmers with the dummy to suck. When the latter complained, the Press of the country kept putting a bit of jam on it for them.”—Air J. H. Taylor at Greatford.

“ONE TOO FEW.” A hearty laugh was raised by Mr G. H. Smith, Reform candidate for Pahiatua, at his committee meeting. Mr Smith, who belongs to the legal profession, was asked by a questioner: “ How many lawyers are there in the House at present ? ” Mr Smith replied “ Just one too few.”