MINISTER AND MEMBER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9184, Issue 9184, 7 April 1910, Page 5

MINISTER AND MEMBER.

HON. R, McKENZIE AND MR MANDER. THREATENED WITH EJECTION. (Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, April 6. A deputation from the Auckland Railways League waited on the Minister of Public Works (Hon. R. McKcnzie) this afternoon, urging that the scope of the Royal Commission to be set up to inquire into the proposed deviation north of McCarroll's gap, on the North Auckland railway route, should be extended so as to include an investigation into the proposed deviation South of McCarroll's ° ap - • , The proceedings were very lively.

Mr McKcnzie declined to accede to the request, saying it had been made too late.

Mr Mander, M.P., challenged Mr McKcnzie to prove that the western route was the shortest, cheapest, and best, and said he would put £1000 up if the challenge were accepted. A passage-at-arms took place between Mr Mander and the Minister, the latter threatening to have the member for Marsden ejected from the room. Dealing with the allegation of unfair treatment of the North Island in the matter of railway expenditure, Mr McKenzie points out that £72,000, of the South Island railways vote last, year was for works completed some time ago, and that for roads last year the North Island was voted £195,000 more than the South Island. The combined votes were: — North Island, £635,750; South Island, £603,743.