HAPPY SETTLEMENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 478, 6 October 1928, Page 11

HAPPY SETTLEMENT

Auckland’s Transport Bill house applauds agreement (THE SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, To-day. AUCKLAND transport problems have been so often before the House that members showed lively interest when the Auckland Transport Board Bill appeared by Governor’s mcssacre early yesterday afternoon. An interesting feature was that Auckland members were freely congratulated upon the success of their efforts to get the Bill brought forward in suitable form. At 20 minutes to 3 this morning the Bill was put through the committee stages, and the House adjourned until 11 a.m.

At the outset Mr. M. J. Savage in asking 1 when the second reading would taken, pointed out that the main features of the Bill had been approved by the various representatives of different parts of the metropolitan area. The Prime Minister said the second reading would be taken some time later in the day. Mr. Savage had been chairman of the conferences between members of the Auckland Local Body representatives, and accordingly »hould know' that the Bill conformed with the ideals set out at those conferences. AN INNER CABINET Mr. T. M. Wilford (Hutt) said there seemed to be a practice creeping in by which loeai Bills could be forced through at this late stage of the session. He was not certain that it was playing the game. This was the first time h© hud heard of any conference. All he had heard earlier was that there was not a chance of the Bill going through this session. What conference was it that Mr. Savage had presided Mr. Coates: The inner Cabinet. (Laughter.) Mr. Wilford said that if every Auckland member agreed as to the Bill then it unquestionably should go through. Mr. Coates assured him that they did agree. Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui) said ho also would like to know what was being done. The Prime Minister had blundered once before over buses, and the House had had to help him put the matter right. Mr. Coates: Was that the blunderbus? Mr. P. Fraser (.Wellington Central) reminded Mr. Forbes that he (Mr. Forbe«) had been one of the committee which recommended the bus regulations. Personally, he thought the bus regulations had been effective in saving the tram systems of the larger cities. A DISSERVICE Mr. A. Harris (Waitemata) said the greatest possible disservice had been done to the Auckland district which recommended the bus regulations. But for those bus regulations, the Bill now before them would not have been necessary. Mr. Fraser: Oh. now we are hearing things. Mr. Harris added that if th€> provisions of the Bill were accepted in the

proper spirit a long and unfortunate controversy would be ended. Mr. Coates said he must dissociate himself from the remarks of Mr. Harris. Tho bus regulations had been most valuable. Mr. Wilford pointed out that if any member cared to raise a point of order against the Bill, at this stage of the session, he could kill it; but, of course, no one would do so. He congratulated the Auckland members. Mr. J. McCombs also congratulated the Auckland members, particularly on getting the costs of the commission paid from the public purse* which was more than Christchurch had been able to do. . . Further comment was made when tlio Bill came up for second reading at 2 a.m. Mr. Coates complimented There was a desire that the Auckland local-body delegates on the satisfactory result of the recent negotiations* There was a desire that Auckland transport problem should bo settled, and a future policy formulated. AS A BASIS Mr. Savage said that fundamentally tho Bill did not suit him, but it was satisfactory as a basis for negotiation. The Tramways Union, 1,500 strong, should have representation on the transport board. The assistance of the Prime Minister, in achieving harmony, had been most valuable. Mr. Harris also commented on the fine spirit shown in the negotiations preceding the introduction of the Bill. It was worth noting that the Bill provided for tho perpetuation of existing private bus licences. Mr. J. A. Lee: None of us was wholly satistied, but we all had to make concessions. If the same spirit prevails in Auckland as prevailed at our conferences here then the success of the Bill is assured. Sir Joseph Ward commented on the unique feature in that the local body chiefly concerned had a final check on the legislation passed by ParliamentFollowing the second reading there was a brief discussion in committee, Air. P. Fraser saying that the representation of tho whole community by a transport board was fairer than representation of only a section, as by the City Council. The Bill was put through committee at 2.40 and passed, Mr. Fraser saying that it was among the most important. Bills of the session.