ESTIMATES DISCUSSED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2485, 26 September 1922, Page 1

ESTIMATES DISCUSSED.

CRITICISM OF RAILWAYS. REPLY BY THE MINISTER. (Per Pre» Association.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 22. This afternoon the House of Representatives went into Committee of Supply on the railway vote of £6,164,000. The Minister, in reply to various criticisms, said that since the war was over the position had improved in regard to the supply of locomotives. The department’s future policy would be to administer the railways in the best interests of the country. The general manager was being given the opportunity to get among the public and seo what the requirements were. The heads of the various branches had to shoulde" a greater share of responsibility so as to relieve the general manager of detail work. The travelling privileges of railwaymeu and their families during holidays would be restored by the next holiday period. Local requirements of services in various districts were receiving attention, but he pointed out that these matters could not be arranged at once. The officers of the service were instructed to practise rigid economy and to act upon thenown initiative when necessary to a greater extent than in the past. The younger men would linve every opportunity to rise in the ranks according to merit. Replying to further questions, the Minister said the department had already tackled the question of giving employees better conditions and housing. Co-opera-tive coal mining was encouraged by the Mines Department. The carriage of manure for the renewing of pastures at minimum freight rates was a matter deserving of attention, but the department’s first duty was to meet the expenses of working. The system of commercial agents ill the North and South Islands had been criticised, but he noticed that no sugges tion was put forward as to how it could bo improved. Facilities for tourists were desirable, but at. the present that traffic was not very extensive and would not warrant expensive limited trains to meet it. The vote was finally passed, the Minister promising to carefully disouss with the general manager various matters raised during the debate.

The discussion on the education vote. £2,569,354, was next taken and the vote was passed at 11.40 p.m. The vote for the Department of Industries and Commerce, £31,530, was next discussed and it was passed after a short discussion.