EVENING SITTING.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 217, 12 September 1908, Page 7

EVENING SITTING.

The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Sir Joseph WARD, continuing, said that the line had been taken over on jt better terms than would have been • - the case in 1901-2. He paid a tribute to those who had conducted the transactions for the Company, and said that the Government was possessed of the line linking up tho more progressive and developing lines of the JSorth Island. / , , Mr MASSEY congratulated the Government upon the result of their negotiations. There was little for him or anyone to say regarding the negotiations, beyond congratulating all concerned upon the completion of a transaction of great importance to the country. The price was satisfactory. He, however, thought that, as a matter of principle arbitration should have been resorted to. Mr James-ALLEN said that the line would have been acquired more advantageously on the Company's terms in 1901 than, was the case now. The assets then included a quantity of freehold land which was not now included.;*, also, it seemed to him that we were paying £15,000 to the Company principally because it would not go to arbitration. Mr HERRIES agreed that the Government made a very fair bargain. Sir Joseph WARD replying to criticisms, said that there was no such thing as goodwill in this railway, and the law specifically declared that no goodwill should be paid for. The "equitable rights of the employees of the Company were fully safeguarded under the Bill, but he was not prepared to say that every employee would remain in the same position as

at present. He reiterated that less had been paid for this railway than for any other similar line. The Government had done well for the country, and had treated the Company; well. He was glad that arbitration had bean avoided, for the sake of the country and on the■ score of expense.

The Bill was read a second time on the voices.

PUBLIC BODIES' LEASES BILL

The Hon. Mr McNAB moved the second reading of the Public Bodies' Leases Bill, .making general, provision as to the leasing powers of local and other public authorities, so as to avoid making special provisions in every Act which establishes such an authority. Mr- MASSEY generally approved the measure.

The Bill was read a second time.

PASSED

The Agricultural Produce Sale and Importation Bill was read a third time and passed. ■

INSPECTION OF MACHINERY

The Inspection of Maclinwry Bill was committed.

After midnight, - ■ The Inspection of Machinery Bill passed through Committee, and was reported with amendments The House adjourned at 0.35 a.m.