POSTPONED.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 264, 7 November 1929, Page 8

POSTPONED.

TRANSPORT LEGISLATION. OPPOSITION IN HOUSE. REFORM LEADER'S ATTITUDE. (By Telegraph.;— Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. When the Transport Department Kill was introduced in the House of Representatives this morning the Hon. W. A. Vcitch, replying to the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, said the bill contained only those provisions necessary for setting up the Department of Transport and the appointment of a Minister of Transport. The Leader of the Opposition again ur«-ed that a commission should be Set mfto determine* the best means of facing the transport problem generally and formulating some scheme of co-ordination. . Mr Veitch said the point at issue between Mr. Coates and himself had been whether to appoint an Advisory Council or a Roval Commission. Because of the attitude of Mr. Coates.it had been necessarv to drop the proposal to form an idvisorv Council, owing to the need of o-etting 'the legislation through without serious opposition. It would not be reasonable to expect him to give way to the opposing point of view under those circumstances. Mr. \eitch added that as the problem would be a permanent one he considered an Advisory Council would be required to cope with it adequately. "House Widely Divided." The Leader of the Labour party, Mr. H. E. Holland, suggested that, as the House was so widely divided on the question the legislation should be left over till next session, when there .would be an opportunity to give the matter adequate consideration. After further discussion, Mr. Veitch. stater! that owing to the opposition raised he would. not/proceed with the bill beyond the present stage. .. Mr. H. G. R: Mason (Auckland Sub' : urbs) urged the. Minister not to adhere to this decision. He considered the prob-. lem was such an urgent one that tipGovernment would not, be justified iu leaving the matter over till next session. Mr °C. G.Munns (RoskiU) and Mr. J. T> Hogan (Rangitikei) supported this .plea. .;- • - ■• ,-; • Compromise Possible. Mr.' A. Harris (Waitemata) asked the Minister to go on with the measure,'but Mr. R. Semple (Wellington East), and Mr. W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne) contended it would not be advisable to force it through at this stage of the session." • Mr. C. H. Clinkard (Rotorua) said,.the evidence taken by the Select Committee had been overwhelmingly in favour of the. establishment of a Department of

Transport. He could not see why the House could not have taken that step.- .

' Replying to Mr. Holland, Mr. said he .would agree to. progress being and in the event of a compromise being reached in the meantime, to go on with the bill. *. ;' ' '•:' 1 This course was followed', and the-bill was read-a first time. * , "\ 1 " ,