LOCAL RAILWAYS BILL

North Otago Times, Volume C, Issue 13181, 9 October 1914, Page 5

LOCAL RAILWAYS BILL

, STRONG OPPOSITION TO THE MEASUEB.

(Per Press Association).

WELLINGTON, Oct. 8, In the House to-night, upon the third reading of the Local Railways-Bill Mr Witty declared that the measure a backward step. The Opposition did not mind the Government borrowing money to build railways, but they did object to big syndicates building line 3, and pulling up the value of their land, to unload upon the people.

Hon. ft, MeKenzie said the Bill'was a haphazard measure which appeared In. have, been put together for electioneering purposes,

Mr J. B, Iline said the policy of the Opposition was to deny the country people railways.

Mr W. A'eitch said it was no use the Member for Stratford saying the Opposition was against settlers getting railways. They wanted settlers to have railways, but they wanted railways under control of the Government.

Mr Pearce said the Board set up by the settlers could easily look into the question of local railways, and see if it was likely to be a paying concern; if it would not pay tliey would not build it. , Mr G, W. Russell repelled the attempt to stigmatise the Opposition as opposed to-giving railways'to settlers. They were not opposed to that policy, The only difference was whether the settlers should build the railways oi whether Hie Government should build lliein. The Opposition favoured the latter method. This Bill was n fraud and a sham, and had been promoted purely for electioneering-purposes in Taranalfi, The fraudulent nature of the Bill was proved by the utter inadequacy of its financial provisions, If the Government had the pluck they would bring down a proposal to raise a loan of a quarter of a million for the construction of these district railways, and take the responsibility of building them. There would bo statemanship and courage in such'a policy.

Mr Massey said that the speech just delivered by Mr Uiissell was the most extraordinary speech he had ever delivered. He could not understand tho conduel of the member for Avon, Mr Ru3.sell condemned the Bill and then wound up his speech by saying lie would vote for the measure. He would like to sec the rates upon local railways fixed atitlic same rate as those on Governinent railways, He hoped that in time nil local railways would be taken over liy Hie Government. Tho interests of IJie State wore absolutely safeguarded in lulling over the railways. In view of (he new markets opened they should give settlers the opportunity to get their products to market, and thus bring more money into the country. There would be no difficulty in getting Iho money required.. Mr W. I) v MacDonald contended it was the Liberal Government which had been responsible for the sound financial position of the country to-day. He was not opposiug the Bill." He knew that there were lots of roads and railways wanted in the country, but all the Government could do was to say to the settlers: "Find the money yourselves, and build the lines.'' Lavish promises had been made of roads, bridges, and railways, and now when the Government was called upon to fulfil these promises the,, reply was "Find the money yourselves,^'-.

Mr C, K, Wilson challenged any member of tho Opposition to show where any big land-owner in Taranalci would benefit from the construction of a line.

Mr H. Atmorc said the Bill was only another instance of the Government shirking its responsibilities, Mr 11. J.-Okey said it was amusing to listen to the change of tone in tho speeches delivered by the other side, Tho 'Government had so ninny Hues under'construction that it was impossible to provide money for the construction of liranch lines; therefore, why not allow settlers to raise money hud biiild a linn' themselves? Mr V, If. Smith said that the Government had no wish to shirk its responsibilities to find Iho money for nil the branch railways required.

■Mr. 11.I 1 . C. Webb said the tariff party did'nothing but llccco tho wayback wkatoo, There-were not half enough railways into tho back country, ...Mr Young said that the Bill was a good one in the interests'of small settlers:;,';- '•■■.. ■'.; ■ '■•,'■'':■'■ V '■"•■-.''.

Mr Ell said it appeared to him .thai in.effort -was being made to allow" .thai. ;hV;^Opposition : "was"opposed to light'

railways. This wn& quite wrong, pd ho repeated thafohis side of the House was, not ngainst'granting settlers ldual" railways. Mr J. 11, Bradney said that ha was propaicd to support tlio proposed policy for the, construction of inilways, Sir James Carroll said tho Government could not find the money to build local tatlways but thoy would not tiust local bodies, and at tho snmo time thoy created new local bodies to take up the responsibility of cairying out tlie railways, Mr Payno urged that if tho House was prepared to do its ovm financing it could piovido ample money to make branch railways. [Loft Sitting.]