Full Information on Railway Construction

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7061, 8 November 1929, Page 5

Full Information on Railway Construction

AVAIL ABLE NEXT SESSION. From Our Parliamentary Reporter. WELLINGTON, Last Night.

An assurance that all available information respecting railway lines construction and also projocted works would be laid before Parliament next session, was given in the House of Representatives early this morning by the Minister of Lands (Hon. G. W. Forbes.)

This promise was given following the moving of an amendment by the leader of the Opposition (Mr J. G. Coates) .when’ the Public Works Department’s supplementary estimates wore under consideration. Mr Coates said tho Government must have a groat deal of detailed information concerning the probablo cost and earnings of lines under consideration and also of projected works. This information should be given to the House and tho country. For that reason, he would move that there bo a reduction of £lO to the vote for officers’ salaries, as an indication that this information should be tackled. When ho had moved an amendment earlior in the week in the same connection, the Government had accepted it as a no-confldcnco amendment and had stated that if it were carried, dll work would have to stop. It could not be said that tho carrying of this amendment would have that effect. Mr Coates said it might sound wearisome to rcintcrate this •point, but expenditure must be carefully watched.

Mr P. Fraser said there was no need to move any reduction in the vote, but the Government should be quite ready to givo the information Mr H. E. Holland said the Government could quite well meet the position by making all information available. It was reasonable to suppose that this information could not be presented within a month, as a good deal of preparation was necessary, but there was no reason why it should not be ready by next session. There was no desire on the part of tho Government, said Mr Forbes, to withhold any information from the House or tho country. “I will undertake to see that tho fullest information- in regard to lines under construction is given to tho Houso and the information will, havo reference also to lines which are contemplated.”

Mr Coates said the Government must have a great deal of detailed information, because it had promised that the construction of these lines would not cost the country a penny. , Mr T. W. McDonald: “That was during the election campaign.” The amendment was lost on tho voices, no one voting for it.