EVENING SITTING.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8597, 26 September 1893, Page 6

EVENING SITTING.

The Council resumed at 7.30 p.m. RAILWAY BILL. Mr JENKINSON resumed the debate. He said three of the superior officers of the Railway Department not long ago were absent from the co ony on full pay, and at that time a very large number of railway labourers were receiving only sufficient wages to keep body and soul together. The bon, gentleman went or to speak of men on the railways who had been shunted, in order that imported boiler engines might be utilised. Yet the present, management was, he said, held up as a paragon of railway management. Mr Jenkinaon cited a number of cases, with the view to show that the present management of the railways was defective. He assured the Council that at present there was more patronage carried on than ever existed under the Government. As one who had suffered under the galling yoke of the Railway Commissioners he had spoken freely, and in conclusion hoped the Bill would become law. MrBONAR said nothing he had heard had led hn" to believe that the Bill was required. Grievances affecting railway servants had occurred, no doubt, but those having a grievance had always the right of appeal, as provided by the regulations, in protection of themselves. He opposed the Bill till the country decided the question.

Mr W. C. WALKER considered that the late Government had gone beyond the Act when they appointed a Board, instead of obtaining a railway expert as Chairman from foreign parts. denied that the Commissioners averted danger during the recent strike. It was the good sense of the people which effected this. He thought the Board should consist o! commercial men and agriculturists, and an expert, instead of which the railways had been steeped in redtapeism. The country demanded a change, therefore he should vote for the second reading. „ Mr fcHRIMSKI opposed the Bill because he believed there would always be friction between the Ministerial chairman and his non-political colleagues. He would support any Bill having for its object the resumption of the entire control of the railways by the Government. Mr HART opposed the Bill, and supported .the continuance in office of the present Commissioners as being in the best interest of the colony. Mr KERR supported the proposition that a Minister of the Crown should be Chairman of the Board. He cited several cases with a view to show that the Commissioners crippled the railways by refusing to afford cheap ' facilities for the carriage of freight. He failed to understand how it was that the Commissioners permitted drays and traction engines to successfully compete with the railways.

Mr PHARAZYN strongly opposed the Bill. Referring to the commercial aspect, it most be remembered that the Commissioners endeavoured to pay interest upon the money borrowed for the construction of the railways, and hence possibly the outcry against the Commissioners really was that the control of the railways was delerated to them. Bat he maintained that the Commissioners had displayed skill, honesty, and a desire to do their duty to the country without fear or favour. Be was convinced that the Bill if passed would open the door for great political corruption. Mr BOLT said the railways were in exceedingly bad order, and as an instance said it would take thousands of pounds to replace tarpaulins on the southern lines which had been permitted to fall into decay. He supported the Bill. Mr PEACOCK had no hesitation in saying that if the Bill became law in January next there would be no Commissioners at all, but only a Ministerial Chairman, who would have entire charge of the railways, for no gentleman, having any self respect, would go in to work under the provisions of the Bill, which he intended to oppose. If he had his way he Vfcould throw the Bill out straight. The COLONIAL SECRETARY replied and the second reading was agreed to on the voices. The Council rose at 9.40.