WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1929, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS

SOUTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY, e PRIME MINISTER CONFIDENT. (Special Correspondent.)

‘ WELLINGTON, July 22. „ The definite statement made by Sir Joseph Ward to the deputation representing the South Island Progress Leagues that waited upon him on Friday seems to leave little doubt about the speedy completion of the South Island Trunk Railway which has been in progress, at intervals, for some fifty years. Eight other members of the Cabinet were present, when Sir Joseph received the deputation and all parties in Parliament were represented. Mr J. E. Strachan, an ex-presi-dent of the Canterbury Progress League, presented the case for the speedy completion of the line at very considerj able length, only to find that the Prime Minister and his colleagues had made up their executive mind on the matter and that the work already was proceeding as rapidly as circumstances would permit. “ There was no real occasion for you to come here,” Sir Joseph told the members of the deputation; “but I am very glad to see you all.” The work had been begun, he said in effect, and it was going on to eomplbtion. iK 'l

THE CRITICS. '^eithbi^of'the local 1 daily papers are reconciled' io the inevitable by the confident attitude of the Government. “The South Island Main Trunk lines and branches last year,” says the “Dominion,” earned the modest rate of eight|eAi shillings and threepence per cent;'on their capital expenditure. It’ris- rather a wide margin to bring this: up to the rosy estimate of five per cent, estimated by the deputation. However, the Prime Minister swallowed everything with cheerful unconcern. Apparently he had made up his mind and hang the consequences.” The “Post,” not having committed itself so definitely, 'as its, contemporary has to denunciation of the ( .undertaking, expresses itself less emphatically. “If the five per cent, is really]there, it, says, ■ “ let the Government show that it is there, and thus' turn critics into supporters, and make it plear. to the London lender that loan money is spent on works that are not only reproductive, but which are, in fact, gilt-edged investments.” Sir Joseph appears unperturbed by either of his critics.

THE INITIAL TALK. It. was generally • expected that .the debate would be concliide<l on Friday, but, an adjournment for . the week-end at 5.30 p.m. left a numjier of members with their little pieces’-unspoken and now the Prime Minister expects the superfluous talking.to’; go on until Thursday, when way will - have to he made for the report, bfthe Select Committee on Standing Orders. Though much time has been ■wasted, as usual, over the “ Address,” it has.to be admitted that the . speeches generally have been better than those usually heard so early in the life of a new Parliament. The young man from Motueka, Mr G. C. Black, acquitted 'himself particularly well on Friday afternoon, demonstrating again that there is still a place for youth in the counsels of the nation. At the same sitting of the House the Hon. E. A.

Ransom, the Minister of Public Works, fully held his own, even when- the 1 leader of the Opposition joined in the -heckling to which he was at times subjected.

; PROPOSED GAMING ACT. The Rev. J. R. Blanchard, preaching in St. John’s Presbyterian Church here yesterday, opened the campaign against the new Gaming Bill, which, he said, would be introduced in Parliament this week. The features of .the Bill, he told his congregation, Would be the addition of the publication of dividends and the telegraphing of investments to the existing “pernicious legislation.” “The legislators to-day,” the preacher declared, “ will he doing the Dominion a grave moral injury if they consent to an amendment to the Gaming Act which will .undoubtedly open the door for such evils.” Mr Blanchard, of course, takes an extremist view of the totalisator and all its works; but he offered lone suggestion which well might be considered by the legislature. “It would be much more to the point,” he said, “if fresh legislation were introduced making the penalties against the bookmaker more severe, and extending them, without fear or favour, to his clients as well.” Herein lies the remedy for one half the evils of gambling in this country.