HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 45, 9 October 1914, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

AFTERNOON SESSION - . The House met at 2.30 p.xn. In reply to Mr Forbes, who asked on behalf of several country dubs .■,vhen the permits would be issued under Mr Hunters’ Gaming Amendment Bill, the Premier stated chat the Bill was not yet law, and would not bo law for some time. In reply to Mr McCallura, the Hon. Fisher said that opportunity was «till being given to members of the Expeditionary Force to record tluv’r votes.’ In reply to Mr Myers, the Premier admitted that there was no difficulty with regard to tho conversion of the Myers loan, which fell duo last July. In reply to Mr Russell, 'ho quoted some Press references with regard to the enrolment of electors in Christchurch, Hon. Fisher said their exports had not complained of i_e system now being employed or toe registration of oloctors. It ould be found that the rolls were in \ a most satisfactory condition. Hon. Fisher gave notice of intention to introduce tho Legislative Act Amendment, No. 2. Mr Payne moved for leave to introduce the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, and Right to Vote Bill. Tbo measure provides that any qualified person whose name has been left off the roll shall be permitted to record his vote on polling day. The Bill | was read a first time. In response to the recommendation of the A to L Petitions Committee, on the petition of Arthur John Dockerty, who was shot during the late strike in. Wellington, the Premier stated that ho was satisfied that the petitioner was not one of the rioters, and the Government would be prepared to give effect to the recommendations of the committee and reimburse him for sorao of the expense to which he had been put. i Discussing the report of the' Railway Committee, Hon. W. H. Kerries said that ho would be pleased so consider the possibilities of extending the privileges of permanent railway employees to casual employees. LOCAL RAILWAYS. Upon tho third reading of the Local Railways Bill, Mr Witty declared that the measure was a backward step, Tbo Opposition did not mind tho Government borrowing money to build railways, but they did object to big syndicates building lines end putting up tho value of their laud to unload upon tho people. Mr McKenzie said the Bill was a haphazard measure, which appeared to have been , put together for electioneering purposes.

Mr Hine said the policy of -the Opposition was to deny country people nil ways. Mr Veitck said it was no use for the member for Stratford to say the Opposition was against settlers getting railway ;. They wanted tho settlers to have railways hut they wanted tho railways under the control of the Government.

Mr Pearce said the hoard set up by tho settlers oould easily look aftor the question of a local railway and see if it were likely to be a paying concern. If it did not pay, they would not build it.

Mr Russell repelled the attempt to stigmatise the Opposition as being opposed to giving railways to the settlers. They wore not opposed to that policy. Tho only difference was whother tho settlors should build railways or whether the Government should build them* The Opposition

favored the latter method. Tiiis Bill wi 3 a fraud and a sham, and had been promoted surely for elect) n~, purposes in Taranaki. The fraudulent nature of the Bill was proved by the utter inadequacy of its financial provisions. If the Government had , the pluck they would bring down a proposal to raise a loan of a quarter of a million for the construction of these district railways, and take the responsibility of building them. There would bo statesmanship and courage in such a policy. The Premier said the speech delivered by' Mr Russell was the moat extraordinary speech he had ever delivered. He could not understand the conduct of the member for Avon. Mr Russell had condemned the Bill, and then wound up his speech by saying lie would vote for the measure. He would like to see the rates upon the local railways fixed at the same rate as on Government railways. Tie hoped in time that all local railways would be taken over by the Government. The interests of the State vrero absolutely safeguarded in taking over the railways. In view of the new markets opened they should give the settlers an opportunity to get their products to the market, and thus bring more money into the country. There would be no difficulty in getting the, monej- required. Mr McDonald contended that it was the Liberal Government which had been responsible for the sound financial position of the country today. He was not opposing the Bill. I le knew that there were lots of roads and railways required in the country, but all the Government could do was to oay to the settlers, "Find 1 the money yourselves f»nd build the lines." Lavish promises had been made of roads, bridges and railways, and now, when the Government was called upon to fulfill the promises, the reply was, "Find the money yourselves." Mr G. K. Wilson challenged any member of the Opposition to show where any big landowner in Taranaki would benefit from the construction of the hue.

Mr Atmore said tho Bill was only another instance of the Government shirking its responsibilities. Mr F. H. Smith ;aid the Government had no wish to shirk its responsibilities, but it was impossible to find the money for all the branch railways required; Mr Webb said be was sorry that Hie party did nothing but fleece the way-back cockatoo. There were not half enough railways into the back country. Mr Young said the 13111 was a good one, in tho interests of. the small settlers. Mr FU said it appeared to him that an effort was being made to show that the Opposition was opposed to light railways. This was quito wrong. He repeated that bis side of the House was not against granting settlers local railways. Mr Okey said it was amusing to listen to the change of tone in the speeches delivered from the other side. The Government had so many lines under construction that it was impossible to provide money for the construction oB branch lines. Therefore, why not allow the settlers to raise money and build the lines themselves ? Mr Bradney said he was prepared to support the proposed policy for tho construction of railways. Sir James Carroll said the Government could not find the money to build local railways, but they would not trust the local bodies. At the same time they created new local bodies to take up the responsibility of carrying out railways. Mr Payne urged that if the House were prepared to do it:, own, financing it could provide ample ranney to make the branch railways. BILL PASSED BY 33 TO 15. Eeplyiug at 2.5 a.m., aftor the Telegraph Oftice had closed, tho Minister said the Bill was not an attempt to subvent national railway policy. It was only an aid to a national policy. There was no foundation for the statement that the Bill would prevent the Government building railways. He pointed out that there was a limit to the borrowing of the Government in any one year, and Mr Seddon had stated in the House that he recognised this fact. Opposition to the Bill was only a waste of time. Tho House divided upon tho third reading, which was carried by 33 to 15. Tho House adjourned at 2.d2 a.m.