THE LYTTELTON TRAIN SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3104, 7 June 1917, Page 8

THE LYTTELTON TRAIN SERVICE

NECESSITY OF EVENING RUNNING CANTERBURY MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT MEET A MINISTER'S FIRST DUTY By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, .Tune G. A largely-attended meeting of Canterbury members of Parliament, held to-day, passed the following motion: "Wo members of Parliament for Canterbury, demand that the decision of the National Efficiency Board regarding the railway service between Christchurch aud its port be given effect to, as our special knowledge of tii/> necessities of the working of the import and export trade of Canterbury convinces us that the evening train asked for is absplutely, necessary." 'the Hon. G. W. Russell, presided.

In the course of the discussion, Mr, Nosworthy referred to the rather awkward position of (he Minister of Internal Affairs, seeing thai: ho was talcing part in a. meeting that was criticising the action of the National Cabinet, of which he (the chairman) was a member. They had looked for political harmony as a result of the establishment of the National Government, and he thought in the circumstances it would be better if members of the House, outside of the Ministry, should carry tlio motion of protest.

The chairman said Mr. Nosworthy's remarks were somewhat of n. ohalloniie. He (the chairman) had his responsibilities as a member of the' Cabinet, and he also had his responsibilities to liis constituents. He considered he would nor ho true to his constituents if he let :i mutter like The present one go through without, taking part in it. It was not the Minister, but the Department, that was responsible in the present, case. He did not need to attempt to prove that statement. Tf it came to a question t6 decide 'which was his first duty, then his answer would be that it was to the people who - elected him, and if the two clashed he ".fas prepared to go out. , Mr. Noswnrthy said he quite appreciated the-chairman's position, that his. duty was to his constituents, but he had also a duly to his colleagues. Probably the meeting could havo taken up a different stand if the chairman, as a. Minister of the drown, had not. been present.

The chairman explained that he did not put himself in the chair. Tf it would conduce to freer discussion he was quite prepared to leave the meeting if so desired.

After further discussion the subject dropped, and Mr. Russell was rcciuestcd to convey tho resolution to Cabinet.