PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 21 April 1931, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

THE HOUSE. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, April* 20. 'Phe House of Representatives met at 2.50' p.m. yesterday and passed a motion recording appreciation ot ttio faithful services rendered by the late Mr A. W. Hall and expressing sympathy with the relatives. The House then adjourned till 7.30 p.m. as a mark of respect, to the deceased member. On resuming at 7.30 p.m, urgency was accorded the passing ol the Government -Raß.ways Amendment Bill, w hieli was thereupon further considered in committee. Mr G. C. Black moved to delete the sub-clause, which necessitates a report from the Board and its approval hv Parliament, before resumption ol work on any railway which at the time of (lie passing of the Act had been suspended.

Mr W. I). Lysnar supported the amendment and said that the question whether work should he resumed | should be taken out ol the hands of tin' Board altogether. ‘ Mr Black’s amendment was defeated by 35 to 17. Mr G. W. Forbes then moved to insert a now sub-clause providing that at any time within one year alter the. commencement of the Act, the Board might -submit to the Minister a rej port on any railway or part of railway i tlien under construction (construction j having been begun before' the eomj nicnccmeni- of the Act) recommending' I that; the work of construction he not I further proceeded with or .that it he I carried out to such an extent only a-s is recommended by the Board and that the Minister should as soon as practicable receiving such a report, present it to Parliament and if both Houses should pass tin' resolution approving of the recommendation of the Board no further work in connection with the const ruction of such railway or part cif railway should thereafter lie carried out. save in accordance with the recommendation of the Board. Mr Mealy and Mr T. Makitanara intimated their intention to vote against tiie amendment and urged that the work of completing the South Island main trunk railway should proceed. The sub-clause was adopted by 35 to Hi votes and the whole clause dealing with construction was then passed by 31 to 17 votes. A further division was taken on trie clause giving the Board power to close 'unprofitable lines. -The* clause was retained h.v 3(5 to Hi. When the clause giving the Hoard power to appoint a staff of Department and temporary employees was under consideration Mr M. .'I. Sa value said permission was made in the case of permanent employees that the classification list and -scales of salaries shoukl he subject to the approval of the Governor-Gencral-in-Council lint there was nothing to protect temporary employees. He asked Mr Forbes whether lie would agree I'd in,serf "a ‘provision that their rates of remuneration and conditions of employment should lie at least equal to these l provided for in the classification list. Mr Forbes-said there should he no reason to fear that tin* Board would net treat temporary employees reasonably. Mi Savage said that "bed was not j satisfied to leave the matter at tliat j and moved an ninendmdnt seeking to insert a proviso lie previously outlined. The amendment was rejected by ! 35 to 1(5. | i'lie remaining (Biases were put 1 Hirough without discussion and tlm! Bill, with amendments was reported to j Hie House at, one a.m. and read a j third time h.v 33 to 15 votes and pass- j ui. | '1 he House rose at at. 1.25 a.m.