PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 58, 24 October 1914, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. [Pkb Pbem Association.] Wellington, October 23. The Legislature Amendment Bill was read a first time. The National Provident Fund Amendment Bill was read a third timei The second reading of the Workers' Dwellings Amendment Bill was carried. The second reading ot the Legislature Amendment Bill was agreed to The Workers' Dwellings Amendment and National Provident Fund Amendment Bills passod the third reading without amendment. The Legislature Bill passed the third reading, and the Council adjourned until 10.30 on Monday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. In reply to Sir Joseph Ward, the Minister of Mines said it was necessary to get the report of the Huntly Disaster Commission before the Mines Committee could take evidence on the subject of alleged*,cases of victimisation.

In reply to Mr Poland, the Minister of Mines stated that unfortunately the Miners' Relief Fund has fallen "to zero, due to the fact that its revenue had not been recently supplemented, owing to the export of gold having temporarily ceased. In the meantime he intended relieving the recent claims, which amounted to £7OO. THE RAILWAYS 'BILL. Tho Hon. Herries moved the second reading of the Railways Improvement Authorisation Bill, a measure based on Mr -Hiley's report. The Minister said that Mr Hiley had acquired a remarkable knowledge of the Dominion's railway requirements, and his report was an exceedingly valuable one, uninfluenced as it was by the opinions or wishes of the Government. He was sorry to see the parochial spirit that was introduced into the question) because Mr Hiley was not influenced by political or local interests. Auckland was getting the lion's share, only because it needed it most. It had been said the Bill was a "town Bill," and that the country was being neglected, but the fact was that they must have facilities for dealing with the traffic at the terminal points. .He would point out to country members that their requirements would be provided out of additions to open line.-*. Though it was not proposed to borrow all ihe money this year, it. was necessary at once to adopt this comprehensive scheme. Sir Joseph Ward said the right thing for the Government to do was to got a resolution on paper affirming the General Manager's report, and not commii the country to the enormous liability of which this Bill was a part. Tie wondered if the House understood what the country wag being asked to face. 'Loans acknowledged ,{pr,.. T tl»is year totalled £12,245,j000~ and "this in the face of the fact that the Government party had gone through the country declaring that borrowing must cease. If they were honest they would turn the Government out and put the country on right lines. The Bill was simply debauching tho constituencies with loan monies. What concerned him most was the exceedingly serious position in which this recklessness placed the finances of the countrv.

Mr Myers generally endorsed the recommendations of Mr Hiley's report. Ho was a thorough believer in comprehensive schemes, and recognised the proposals in the Bill as comprehensive. He had, however, voted against the loan proposals as a protest against what he regarded as a pure electioneering scheme. They had heard a great deal about "commitments," but what were they to say in the face of the fact that this non-borrowing Government had already committed the country to £12,245,000 this year ? Mr Payne said our first duty was to promote additions and improvements to open lines and help to get our settlers' produce to market. Mr Wilkinson said he was returned to put a check upon a big borrowing policy. Since he came into the House he had modified his views on many subjects, and he now thought our railways musi be put on a proper footing.

Mr Hine said he was not in accord with the borrowing proposals of the Government, and unless the loan was reduced by two millions he would vote against the Bill. Mr Russell said that under the Local Railways Bill the Government said to the settlers "you ran shift yourselves." But what would happen if the people of Wellington asked for a new station ? They were not told to rate themselves for it.

, Mr Massey contended that the difficulty with the railways was that the business was growing faster than the conveniences available, and one of the greatest necessities was suitable terminal points. It was not the station buildings that cost the money; it was the rearrangements of station yards. Discussing the importation of engines, the Premier declared that if the workshops had been kept up to date, we would not be short of engines now. If ever there was a time when borrowing was justified it was now, when we had to keep our people employed. Mr Wilford denounced the Bill as a cleverly worked scheme. It was simply fooling the people, but the Government could not fool them all the time. Other members having spoken, the Minister rose to reply ati !?.30, Ho said that whateever programme Mr .Myers bid down, more engines had ibeon built in the Dominion during the .past two years than during the regime of the continuous Ministry. i The reading was then carried by 30 to. j The Bill was then put through th» committee without amendment, and read a third time without discus&iou,