THE RAILWAYS CONSTRUCTION BILL.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 70, 21 September 1881, Page 3

THE RAILWAYS CONSTRUCTION BILL.

DEBATE ON THE THIRD BEADING IN THE UPPER HOUSE. Two hours' debate occurred in the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon when the third readinsr of the Bail ways Construction and Land Bill was moved by the AttorneyGeneral. For tho most part th se who participated in the debate consisted of opponents of the measure, including the Hons. Messrs. Wil«on, Frascr, Holmes, Bobinson, Brett, Chamberlin, and others. The Hon. Dr. Grace spoke in favour of passing: the Bill. To the evident surprise of the Whole Cotihoil, the Hon. Mr. Pharazyn came out of his shell, and delivered a speech against the measure, and in justification of his own voting. This is the first occasion, we believe, on which ho has risen in the Council for a period of some years. He disclaimed being- opposed to a public works policy. To accuse him of this would bo absurd. If the accusation were true he would then be in reality what an evening newspaper had lately designated him— a perfect old foßsil. (An hon. member— Hear, hear.) What he was opposed to was the attempt to throw the responsibility of tho undertaking of these workß on the general public The hon. j Speaker would be rather amuaed, as he had been himself, to hear that that hon. gentleman and himself were about to be burnt in effigy. For his part, ho was glad to find himself in such good company. He did not believe even the Attorney-General had any faith in the present measure ; he had had a br ef placed in his hands, of which he had made the most. The biU would do more to damage the credit of this country than anything else. Thero was no necessity for haste in this matter. What were a few months to a young colony like this ? Let these works bo delayed until it was seen how our land Bales and other sonrces of revenue went on — that would be a safer and wiser course. The Hon. Mr. Chamberlin, who followed, moved that the bill bo read a third time that day cii months. On a division this was negatived by 16 to 13. Those against the shelving of the measure wero :— P. A. Buckley, Dignan, Grace, Hart, HendersoD, G. B. Johnson, J. Johnston, Kohere, labmann, Martin, Ngatata, Richmond, Scotland, Waterhouse, Whitaker, Williamson. In favor of the proposed amendment the following voted: — Baillie, Brett, Chamberlin, Fra?er, Holmes, Mantell, Miller, Nurse, Peter, Pharazyn, Reynolds, Bobinson, Wilson. The Hon. Mr. Wilson thereupon moved that the votes of Messrs. Williamson, Hajt, and Dignan be disallowed on the ground that they were personally interested in the Bill. The Council insisted on notice of the motion be given, and Mr. Wilson accordingly gave notice for to-day. The same hon. gentleman next moved the adjournment of the debate, but tv division being taken this was negatived by 17 to 13, after whioh the third reading of theß ill was agreed to, and the meaauro passed.