SPECIAL SESSION POSSIBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1930, Page 2

SPECIAL SESSION POSSIBLE

RAILWAY PROBLEMS.

WELLINGTON, October 23. The announcement that a special session of Parliament might be called if necessary to take action regarding railways and railway construction policy was made by the Acting-Prime Minister (Mr Ransom) during the early hours, when replying to a; long debate on the Finance Bill. The suggestion that-, pending investigation, some railway construction slioiild be stopped bad, he sajd, no regard to the distress which would be caused ,by the .dislocation of labour. It miglit.be desirable-to complete portions of the lilies which would be particularly useful pending an investigation.

Mr W. L. Martin (Raglan): Are you going to set up another commission t Mr Ransom: I do not know, but we had a fine result from the Railway Commission. Personally, I feel that the House should, individually and collectively, take the responsibility lor the railway question. It lias got beyond politics. 1 agree the matter is of sufficient magnitude that, if necessary, a special session of. Parliament should be called to consider the finding of the Government or its recommendation. It should' be clearly understood that it is' not permissible for me, as deputyleader, to make a definite policy statement;, but. it is the Government's duty to investigate; the' position,' so: as to place before the Prime Minister, on his return, to guide him in regard to the future policy of the Government. Tt may be necessary even to take some drastic steps prior to his return.” Mr Ransom added that, while he did not agree with the past system of running roads parallel to the railways, lie thought that where it w;*», inadvisable to complete certain main trunk systems, then the gaps between those sections should be served by up-to-date road transport, which would carry on the railways as an entire system, so that on ordinary freight charges those gaps could be filled without a break/U 7 / Cabinet had not decided .jvjietliejy.to continue the work of the ■Select. Committee on Railway Constru-. ctifijff but he felt it desirable that . it! i should have an opportunity, ; cf gcfing intfij i StHerp)iattef; iff -jibte i ire'q^s;! 'qitljer op 1 tjie pri&finri' petSophel' pr! s'dme j slight variation. My 1- Mr D/ 'Jones (Mid-Canterbury) v'tle-j clared ! .;thqtpth'ei;e j .-(ras; a of] opiiiioii: on. tliei subject ‘in Cabinet; The' Housp, should adjourn for a day to enable Cabinet to submit its decision, because he contended all the evidence was available. At 6.5, Mr F. Waite (Clutha) moved to report progress in committee to give Cabinet an opportunity of presenting the railway and defence policy.

Mr Ransom stated that as there was no leave to sif; again, he must accept the motion as one of .no confidence, A division followed .immediately, the amendment being rejected by 24 votes to 15.. ?■ -.".V ' Tri - i ..