PARLIAMENT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 141, 12 June 1909, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

[PEBSS ASSOCIATION.]

PUBLIC SERVICE BILL

In the House of Representatives, in the discussion on the Public Service Bill, Sir Joseph WARD, continuing, denied that the retrenchment scheme was an admission that there had been waste in the past. The Main Trunk Line had necessitated an enormous number of officers who were not needed now. If a non-political power were set up it would be like a Judge of the Supreme Court, and superior to Parliament. The responsibility of the Government in the matter of retrenchment was great, but it would put the financial position of the country on' a sound basis. He denounced the attempts made to create the impression that New Zealand was on the verge of bankruptcy. Mr MASSEY denied that the Opposition had attempted to damage the credit of the country. It was the actions of Ministers themselves; Mr Hogg, for instance, had advocated paper money. He defended Mr Herdman's action, and denounced the present system as vicious and corrupt. There was intense dissatisfaction with the railways. They were not paying, and it was political influence which interfered. He did not suggest going back to Commissioners; there should always be a Minister for Railways. - Messrs Fisher, Wright, McLaren and the Hon. Mr Duncan also spoke, and the Bill was then ordered to be read that day fortnight. The House rose at 1 p.m.