RAILWAY CONCESSIONS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1018, 2 November 1912, Page 3

RAILWAY CONCESSIONS.

POEO PONIES OF MORE CONSIDERATION THAN CHILDREN.

During the third reading of the Railway Bill, Mr H. H. Poland moved the following amendment That on and after January Ist, 1913, all children under five years of age shall be cairied free on all New Zealand Government railways.” He pointed out that 24cvvt of beer was being curried on the railways and charged for as a ton, while concessions to newspaper proprietors amounted to a year. Polo ponies were carried one way free, and big concessions were given to tourists. These concessions could be dropped with a view to carrying children under five years of age free. The Prime Minister contended that the amendment was out of order because it meant extra taxation. They could barely make ends meet now, and any reduction would have to be made up in taxation.

The Speaker ruled that the amendment was quite in order. Mr J. Robertson (Otaki) seconded the amendment.

Mr J. V. Brown (Napier) said he would like to see the proposals of the Mackenzie Government carried out—that all children between five and fourteen years of age be carried at quarter rates. Mr E. Newman (Raugitikei) while sympathising with the proposal, said the Government would not be entitled to give such a concession until they had carried out their promises to the staffs. Mr T. Buxton (Temuka) supported the amendment. Racehorses and polo ponies should be charged full fare both ways. The amendment was rejected by 37 to 30.