HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 209, 3 September 1900, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION. In committee on the Customs Duties Amendment Bill, Mr Witheford, in his ufcual suave style, asked the Government whether the proposed reductions in the revenue hitherto derived from duties on commodities would have the effect of diminishing- the funds available for the completion of the North Island Main Trunk railway . The Hon. J. 0. Ward replied somewhat tartly that the hon. gentleman might rest assured that the Government had made due provision for carrying on the ordinary business of the country. Mjr Monk took occasion to urge the importance of the Helensville North railway. THE NORTH TRUNK RAILWAY. In the House this -afternoon quite a sensation was caused by all the. North 'island members, as well as several re-priesetitativ-s of South island constituencies, presenting a perfect shoal of petitions praying for the speedy completion of the North Island Main Trunk railway. These were distributed to different members by Mr Witheford, the result being a perfect coup. Much cheering greeted the presentation of two of these, petitions, one by Mr Allen (Bruce) and the other by the Minister of Works.. Mr Witheford is evidently working energetically in keeping the question of the North Island Trunk railway well to the fore. At a meetingoftheNorth island members yesterday it was resolved to appoint a deputation to wait on the Government to insist upon a quarter of a million being expended on the Northern Trunk railway. Messrs Napier, Witheford, O'Meara and Pirani were appointed to ammge for the deputaMr Napier is ho ask the Government xvheth-er they will, in the interest of the trade between New Zealand and the South Sea Island* take steps to have admitted dutyfree to this colony fruit pulp of bananas, guavas, oranges, pine apples, and other fruit which cannot be grown in New Zeaof North Island membera was held yesterday morning, at the instance of Mr Witheford. About twenty members were present, including almost every member connected with the Wellington and . Taranaki districts. Mr Pirani was voted to the chair. The subject for discussion was the North Island Trunk Railway, and it was unanimously agreed that the Government should be asked to appropriate a quarter of a million on the Public Works Estimates for the work, and that a deputation of all members representing North Island constituencies should wait on the premier and the Minister of Public Works in reference to the matter. Messrs Napier, Witheford, Pirani, and O'Meara were appointed a sub-com-mittee to arrange when the deputation will meet Ministers. The feeling in favour of the resolution Was very strong indeed, and a Special Vote of thanks was passed to Mr Witheford for his action in convening the meetpetitions in favour of the speedy completion of the North Island Main Trunk Railway were presented in the House to-day by the following- mem-ber-—Mr J. Hutcheson (Wellington), Mr J. Allen (Bruce), Mr O'Meara (Pahiatua), Mr Stevens (Manawatn). Mr Houston (Bay of Islands) Mr Field (Otaki), Mr Graham (Nelson), Ml Smith (New Plymouth) Mr Witheford (Auckland), Mr Bollard (Eden), Mr McNab (Mataura), Mr Lang (Waikato). Mr Lethbridge (Rangatikei), Mr Hall-Jones (Timaru), Mr Massey (Franklin), Mr Monk (Waitemata), Mr R. Thompson (Marsden), Mr Herries (Bay of Plenty), Mr Meredith (Ashley)', and Mr Jackson Palmer Ohinemuri). It is understood that these petitions had been .^diciously distributed beforehand by Mr Witheford.v ______