The Proposed Bill.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4201, 25 August 1892, Page 3

The Proposed Bill.

The Government Railways Act Amendment Bill, introduted by the Minister for Public Works, seeks to provide that a Minister of the Crown shall be appointed from time to time fiy. the Governor, to' be called the Minister for Eailwoys, who sha|l exercise the functions now performed by the Minister for Public Works, together with such other authorities and duties conferred upon him by the Act, such Minister to be a member of the Executive Council, Tho power of taking lands for any Government railway under the Public Works Act, 1882, shall be exercised only by

tlje jjo'vernor or the Minister ' for L fcu'bjiji Works. A clause in the Bill gives the Minister the power of requesting the Commissioner'to propose it sch'eiuo for efleo'ting an , itigrease jijf iiicomo of decrease pf expen_Mttire or for carrying out any specified "policy, If (lie Minister does hot ap? prove of the Commissioners 1 suggestions, bo may send tliein bis own proposition, whereupon the Commissioners shall tako steps to effect such proposition. Tenders for works must bo submitted by the Commissioners to the Minister for his approval,- and tho Commissioners shall a'so submit to the Executivo Government the annual estimates of receipts and expenditure prepared by the Commissioners for their approval before their presentation to Parliament, Any reduction or extension in the rates or charges shall' bo null and void until they Jjßve been approved by the Minister.

Part II of tbo Bill deals with future Commissioners, it provides that the Minister shall be ex-officio a Commissioner without salary, in addition to not loss than two or more than three other Commissioners to be appointed from time to time, that the Governor-in-Oonncil shall on the oxpiary of, every term of office of Commissioners, appoint not less than two or more than threeothers, but these Commissioners shall hold office during good behaviour, and theGovernor-in-Council may suspend or remove them for various reasons specified. Their salary is not to exceed £BOO a year, and thero aro also stringent regulations inserted in the Bill preventing the Commissioners from engaging in any otber business,