Parliament.

Manawatu Herald, 11 September 1894, Page 3

Parliament.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, September 7. Alter we went to press, yesterday itioriiing; say* tlie Tiliiei, Just as ,the Rating on Unimproved Value Bill passed through committee, the Lake Forsyth Drainage Bill was taken in committee. Sir Robert Stout protested against another Bill being entered upon at that hour, and moved that the Chairman leave the chair; After a lotig discussion*, in the course of which strong protest was made by Captain Russell, Mr Tanner, Mr G. W. Russell and others with reference to late sittings, a com. promise was agreed upon, and the Lake Forsyth Bill passed through committee i On the motion for adjournment there was another discussion on the subject of late sittings, some of the Government supporters defending the Government. The Premier thanked those members who had stood by the Government that night. The member for Riccarton, Mr Russell, had done his bast to harass the Government this session, and he would find it would not be a case of the tail wagging the f dog. As to Mr G. J. Smith, he did not look upon him as a Government supporter. The Opposition waa so disorganised that no arrangement could be made with that party as to the conduct of business. Sir Robert Stout was the only member of the Opposition with whom any arrange- j meut could be made. He denied that there was any attempt of the Government to beat down a section of its party who opposed late sittings. The House adjourned at 6.46 a.m. The House resumed at 2.30 p.m. It was agreed that for the remainder of the session the House should meet on Monday at 7.80 p.m. The Rating on the Unimproved Value Bill waa read a third time and passed. The Premier moved the second reading of the Government Railways Act Amendment Bill. Control by Commissioners had been a failure both in Victoria and New South Wales, and had lost to those colonies very large sums of money. As to the larger questions regarding the control of the railways, he maintained that the Democracy of New Zealand was competent to govern itself, and was entitled to have to have a share in the control of this important department. Captain Russell said the Premier had failed altogether to convince him that the country wanted a Bill of this kind, or a change of railway management. The control in this Bill was neither one thing nor the other, and left the feeling that the other Commissioners would bold their seats at the sweet will of the Minister. He hoped the House would not agree to the Bill. Dr Newman said the railways should come back to the direct control of the people without Commissioners being set up as a buffer between the Minister and Parliament. He moved an amendment " That the Bill be referred back to Ministers that they may so alter it as to make railways revest in the Queen." Sir R. Stout seconded this amend* ment. The whole argument of the Premier was in favour of having no Commissioners at all, and he agreed with him. As to the Bill, the appointment of Commissioners for 12 months was a farce, and he hoped the House would resolve not to have Commissioners at all. Mr R. McKenzie agreed that the Railway Commissioners should be done away with. Mr Earnshaw had always opposed the presence of Commissioners, and -fie should therefore support Dr Newmans amendment. Mr Crowther thought the amendment should be carried. Mr J. G. Wilson preferred that they should revert entirely to the old syetem of Ministerial control than to any such system as that in this Bill. Mr G. J. Smith supported the Bill, though objecting to some of its provisions. Mr Saunders suggested that the system in force in Switzerland should be adopted. '

The amendment jfrop'osed by tk rTew.nian was lost by 47 votes to 7. Mr G. w. fiussell regretted that the Bill did not go the entire length of allowing the Government to re* sur&e control of the railways. Mi- Buc'tiajia'ri. . styotigly opposed the Bill. The Minister sought to abolish the Commissioners, but did not do it in a manly and businesslike way. Mr Hogg supported the Bill, maintaining that the railways ought flever to have been handed over to an irresponsible board. ,On riiotion of Mr Mitchelson, the debate was adjourned; The House adjourned at 12.40 a.m.