PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 8 October 1931, Page 4

PARLIAMENT

THE COUNCIL. (By Telegraph —Per Press Association J WELLINGTON, October b. In the Legislative Council yesterday, Hon. R. Masters gave notice of intention to move to-morrow, a motion approving of the Railway Board’s report, regarding railway lines under construction. The Conucil rose at 2.40 p.m. until to-day. ■ THE HOUSE. RAILWAYS CONSTRUCTION. . Tn the House of Representatives urgency was accorded the debate o,n railway lines under construction. Replying to Mr Black, Mr Forbes said under the Railways Amendment Act of last session, where construction of lines had been stopped at the time of the passing of the act, it could not he resumed unless a.resolution approving of such a. course, was. submitted to the House. As no resolution of the kind wag before the House, the question of a resumption of work did not come under consideration.

In moving a. resolution' that the recommendation of the Railways Board against the construction of WharanuiParnassus, Pur tori no-Wairon, and Te Kuha-Inangahua sections of the railway line be approved, Mr Forbes said lie had to remember that he was not only in Parliament as a representative of an electorate, but also as Prime Minister and as the of that office lie was in the position of a trustee for the. people of the whole country. At the present time the taxpayer was being asked to find £1,395,000 for railway expenditure and the country could not continue constructing lines which would be unprofitable and which would add further burdens to the. taxpayer. Air Semple—lf the Board’s findings are justified does not that constitute a :n indictment of the Government responsible for starting, the woik^. Mr Forbes said that at on e time it was possible to contemplate such expenditure on railways, but wliile it had then, been a sound policy it wais not a sound one now. _ , The Leader of the Opposition said before the Government reversed its election policy in'the manner now proposed, it should have asked for a verdict of the electors. He expressed the opinion that if values created by the construction of railways bad been credited to them there would have been no looses, but instead these values had been allowed to go into the pockets of the individuals. Air Holland said he was in favour of the completion of all the main lines. .. _ . . . . The debate was continued till beyond midnight.

RAILWAY BOARDS RECOMMENDATIONS. ADOPTED BY HOUSE. three works to stop. WELLINGTON, October 8. The discussion on the Prime Minister’s resolution calling for approval of the Railways Board’s recommendation for the cessation of work on WharanuiParnassus, Putorino-Wairoa and Te Kuha-Ina.ngahua lines occupied the attention of members of the House of Representatives throughout the eaily hours this morning, until it was ultimately adopted. An amendment moved by Mr Jordan suggesting the resolution he referred to the Railways Committee of the House, was rejected hv 43 to' 25. Mr Forbes replying, to Hie debate assured members that the xvoik of construction already earned out, would he properly cared for. It would be possible to review the position if t-t ' e economic conditions improved. He agreed that the lines should be completed if the country could 'afford to hear the losis. An amendment moved by Mr Heaiy to exclude Wharanui-Parnnssus line . from the list of works to be stopped was defeated by 40 to 24. An amendment moved by M,r Williams to exclude Putorino-Wairoa line , „-as rejected by 38 to 25, and an j amendment moved by the Leader of the Opposition to exclude Te Kuha-Tn-j amrahua line was rejected by 40 to 22. The resolution was agreed to by 41 to 21 and the House rose at 5.40 a.m. till 7.30 this evening.