GENERAL LAUGHTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 215, 11 September 1931, Page 10

GENERAL LAUGHTER.

RAILWAY BOARD REPORT.

BECEPTION IN HOUSE.

WILL IT BE ADOPTED?

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. The constant repetition of the phrase, "The construction is not justified," at the end of each paragraph in the Railway Board's report on lines under construction struck members of the House of Representatives as a- particularly good joke this afternoon. The Hon. W. A. Veitch, Minister of Railways, who formally presented the report, was urged to give a summary of it to the House. This is not; usual, but when the request was backed up by the Leader of the Opposition, who made the suggestion that the opinion of members be taken on the point, Mr. Speaker quickly ascertained that there was a unanimous desire to hear the worst. The : Minister explained that the report was being tabled without delay, because the Inter-party Committee wished to have it while deliberating. He would read to the House the final conclusions of the board in regard to each of the six railways, on which it had reported. Mr. Veitch proceeded on these lines, and when he read out the conclusion regarding, the South Island Main Trunk, that construction was not justified, members looked at their disappointed colleagues and laughed, but in turn the smiling ones were doomed to disappointment also, and the laughter became more general when the Minister, after mentioning the West-port-Inangahua railway, addod the inevitabe- phrase. Mr. F. Langstone (Labour, Waimarino) exclaimed, "Why, the board's gone mad." Persevering, the Minister read out the title of another railway. : "Iβ there any need to repeat the conclusion ?" inquired Mr: P.; Eraser (Labour, Wellington Central). However, Mr. Veitch went on with his programme,.and' when he next began on the phrase a chorus of members; shouted' «_is n ot justified," arid laughed heartily when the Minister got his chance of completing the sentence, which was exactly what they had expected. The hilarious reception of the report does not give much promise of its adoption by both Houses, which is necessary, if it is to be carried out. The Statute under which the board is required to report on railways under construction, directs that the Minister of Railways shall lay. the report of the board before both Houses of Parliament, "and if both such Houses pass a resolution approving the recommendation of the board no further work in connection with the construction of such railway or part of the railway shall thereafter be carried out, save in accordance with the recommendation of the board."