ABOVE THE CHAIR

Bruce Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3098, 12 September 1899, Page 7

ABOVE THE CHAIR

♦»■ ■—- . - (By Autolycus.) On Thursday the Premier moved the third reading of the Million Loan Bill, and explained that, with the Million Loan proposed to be raised, there "would be available £1,800,000 on the basis of last year's expenditure and it would not be less. With regard to roads to open back blocks, the Government intended to take a new departure in that it was intended to carry out these works in the summer. As to the objection that had been raised that some of the railways had not been authorised, he pointed out that in passing the schedule it merely gained the force of a resolution of the House. Eailway authorisation and appropriation bills would later on have to be pushed through to enable works to be undertaken. Mr Morrison thought that the Premier, in introducing a Million Loan for public works, was simply playing with railway construction. He should have to the occasion and asked for five millions for the purpose of completing main lines and other very necessary new and partly constructed railways. He particularly advocated a more vigorous prosecution of the Otago Central line, and complained that of £40,000 voted last year only £17,000 had been actually expended. Mr Duthie explained that he was not disposed to vote against the Bill, but he condemned the improper way in which it had been brought forward. Many of the lines were not required, and instead of proceeding with some of those already under construction should have been completed. The fact was that the whole schedule was designed, not in the interest of the country, but as an electioneering dodge. Mr Miller said that knowing that the Treasurer had £100,000, apart from loan, for public works, he would vote against the Bill because he did not approve of the tinkering policy contained therein. Instead of introducing a number of new and trivial lines, those partly constructed should first be finished. Mr Pirani said the condition of settlers in the back blocks was clue to the scandalous neglect on the part of fche Government. No reasonable attempt had been made to grapple with this subject in an effective manner-) in spite of the fact that if the settlers did not carry out the conditions under which they took up the land they were liabable to have their sections forfeited. He urged that care should be taken fchat money voted for a particular work should be spent upon that work. Mr Taylor opposed the third reading of the Bill on the ground that the Treasurer had £SOO,OOO at his disposal without further borrowing. He made that statement notwithstanding that the schedule contained two lines in which Canterbury was especially interested. He condemned the manner in which it was proposed to spend the loan, also the lax system in which cooperative works had been carried out. Mr Hall-Jones denied Mr Taylor's statements about co-operative works and deprecated statements being made that could not be proved. If Mr Taylor had made enquiries he would never have made statements that he did. Referring to the contention that the Public Works Estimates should have been brought down before the Loan Bill passed he submitted that no business man would go to the trouble of drawing up estimates of expenditure until assured that he would have the money to carry out the works. He agreed as to the necessity of roading the back blocks, and gave an assurance that they would be attended to. After several other speakers had addressed the Ilouse, the Premier replied contending that there had been a careful and judicious selection of lines that should be with. In regard to the charge that delay had taken place in bringing down the Estimates, he blamed the Opposition for obstruction. The question that the Bill be read a third time was put and carried, and the House rose at 3.30 a.m.