THE RAILWAY BILL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 259, 30 October 1913, Page 4

THE RAILWAY BILL.

QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE.

DANGER SIGNAL RESPONSIBILITY.

SECOND DIVISION CONDrnOXS.

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Bepor.er.)

WELLINGTON, (Wednesday.

The Railways Amendment-Bill, involving increases oi salaries to railway servants I principally in tie first, or clerical, division, wao introduced 'by Governor's Mesoag« this afternoon. It was explained by the Minister of Railways (Hon. W. H. Hemes ) that the schedule relating to first division salaries had been submitted to the Railway Officers' Institute, and had been approved as perfectly satisfactory. There were a few amendments making provision that in regard to level crossings the Government should not he liable it the automatic waiming signals to be installed went out oi action. The Crown Law Officers had advised that if these signals went wrong and an accident occurred, the. Department would be liable Another clause enabled a Board of Inquiry to be set up to hold public inquiries into accidents. A-t present, unless there was a fatality, and an inquest as a consequence, the Department had no power to have a public investigation, except by the round-about way of a \ petition to Parliament, as was the case after the New Lynn accident. As, the petition of the second division was before the Railways Committee, he could not discuses the rl».-wn» of that section but he understood the greater part of the second division wae satisfied with last year's legislation.

Sir Joseph Ward asked if tbe Minister would bring in legislation to give effect to any recommendations of the Railways Committee regarding the eecond division this session. There was a good case for some concessions, and they should not be put off till next year.

FURTHER INQUIRIES. Mr. Ell wanted to know if provision would be made for the payment of 1/6 an hour for casual la-bour.

Sir Joseph Ward further asked if it were intended to put automatic signals at all level crossings, or only at special places. "I would also like to ask what the Board of Inquiry will be called upon to do," said the Leader •oi -the Opposition. Mr. Russell said he would like to hear a more complete answer given by'the M-inieter regarding the men of the second division. "Do the Government reaHv propose that this t>fH shall be the entire policy measure of the session regarding anomalies in the salaries of raibravraen?" he asked.

'•Is it a fair position -for the Government to take up to provide that whan a signal fails the Department shall not be responsible?" was a question put by.Mr. Davey.

The Minister, in reply to questions/ said, in reference to crossing signals, thai the Department was preparing a report npon all dangerous crosernge in- Net? Zealand. It was not proposed to alter the system where crossing-rkeepere we're stationed or where they iwere operated from signal boxesi It -was mostly at country crossings that such signal bells weTe needed. Aβ to the Departmeit'e liability, he supposed that if departmental neglect were proved an action could not be defended. What wae wanted ,to protection in the event of accidental failure on the part of electric or other automatic alarms. Replying to Mr. Efl the .Minister said that the question of casual la.bour would cceie onder flu regulations, which -would be •issued as soon as the bill was through. The wirele oi the members of the rajjwsy staff had seen the regulations, and had expressed themselves satisfied with, the provisions. Orrat -advantages were given to all members of the staff, but te> did not know if there were any pro-vision aJrout casnajs. The bill iras Tead a first time. ' ■