LIVELY DEBATE ON POWER TO RAISE RATES

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 September 1949, Page 2

LIVELY DEBATE ON POWER TO RAISE RATES

WELLINGTON, This Day (P.A.). —The House of Representatives today staged a lively debate on _ the report of the Local Bills Committee recommending that the Christchurch Tramways Amendment Bill, which increases the Christchurch Tramways Board’s rating authority from three-sixteenths to three-eighths ol a penny, .be allowed to proceed. Opposition members said that this authority, together with the current revaluation in Christchurch,, would increase the board’s rateable revenue from £36,000 to £lBO,OOO, and objected to the fact that the Select Committee —whose report was adopted by a 5-4 majority—had not brought the board chairman or some other membei' of the board the committee to give evidence. The only witness had been the general manager, who as a paid servant could not discuss the board’s policy. The Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, said the only crime of the board chairman, Mr G. Manning, was that he had had the temerity to challenge a seat held by the National Party— St Albans. That was why the Opposition had challenged the committee’s report on the Bill. The point raised by the Prime Minister was disputed by the Opposition, on whose behalf Mr M. H. Oram (Oppn., Manawatu) moved an amendment that the report be referred back to the Local Bills Committee to allow further evidence to be called. . 7i(r After further discussion, Mr W. 1. Anderton (Govt., Auckland Central), as chairman of the Local Bills Committee, said he would not wish to deprive any member of the committee of an opportunity of hearing additional evidence. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr W. E. Parry: There’s a limit, though. , , , , Mr Anderton said he had been satisfied that the evidence heard by the committee was sufficient to allow the Bill to go through, but he would not object to having Mr Manning called to answer any questions that members of the committee might put to him. 7 Mr Speaker: Does the honourable member agree to the report going back to the committee?

Mr Anderton: Yes. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Holland: That’s the proper attitude to take and you are to be commended 10 Mr Anderton: lam quite prepared, with the permission of the Minister of Internal Affairs and my colleagues, to have the matter referred back to the committee. Mr Holland: Thank you. The amendment was carried without a division and the report was referred back to the Local Bills Committee.