IMPREST SUPPLY BILL.

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 July 1907, Page 3

IMPREST SUPPLY BILL .

DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE. [FEB PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.]

WELLINGTON, This Day. The Imprest Supply Bill was brought down by Governor's Message in the House of Representatives yesterday. On a motion to go into Committee on the Bill, Mr Herries referring to the Railway Department, contended that if the Department had been properly managed, the buoyancy of the revenue boasted of in the statement would have been even greater than it, was. He did not see any indication of any greater effort being made to increase the rolling stock, and he charged the Department with short sightedness in that respect. Ho was sure that if the Premier asked for £50,000 to increase the rolling stock, the House would gladly give it, as there was a deficiency in rolling stock all over the colony. Ho drew attention to the enormous increase in the cost pf construction per mile. It was stated year after year that the cost under the co-operative system was less than by contract yet the cost of construction per mile had greatly increased, and he asserted that as they got further into the country, the cost would be further increased. He contended that it was clearly proved that under the co-operative system the cost of construction had increased, and ho hoped that largo public works in the future would be carried out on the contract system. He assertd that the Auckland"lines had steadily increased as revenue producers, whilst the Invercargill lino had steadily decreased. The Premier said he was surprised to see Mr Herries doing again what he had done on a former occasion. Ho thought that it was unfair to create the impression that any favouritism was being shown to any part of the colony. The statement of Mr Herries was contrary to fact. Tho Premier quoted figures illustrating the great development which had taken place in tho railway traffic since 1895 and the efforts of the Government to cope with tho increase. Ho showed that the North Island, because its prin ciple line was incomplete, was in a different position to_ tho South. Reviewing the increas in tho cost of construction, ho pointed out that their permanent way was built to a higher standard than in the early days in accordance with the heavier loads they were rquired to carry. During the time lie was Minister of Railways tho weight of locomotives had been increas ed by 30 tons. Dealing with the cooperative system, he defended it in a vigorous manner pointing out that work had been found by this means for large bodies of workmen who other wise would have been workless. On the whole tho system had been a good thing for the colony. Mr Fisher asserted that officers in tho Civil Service who had passed competitive competitions were being blocked in promotion owing to other officers being promoted who had passed no examination. He mentioned four instances. Tho Hon Mr McGowan sard that none of the appointmens complained of blocked the promotion of clerks who had passed Civil Service examinations Messrs Okcy, Mills and Lang continued the debate. The Premier claimed that the work of the Railway Department was being carried on satisfactorily and the amunto set down on the Loan Bill was sufficient to maintain the standard. Tho Imprest Supply Bill, which provides for £623,000 was put through all tho stages and passed. The House adjourned at 11.59 p.m. [The Council met immediately and passed the Bill through all its stages without discussion.]