STOPPING NEW LINES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20977, 14 September 1931, Page 11

STOPPING NEW LINES.

f jjAHWAYS BOARD REPORT. Mg CE P T| °N IN PARLIAMENT. METHOD of handling. SCOPE FOR PRIVATE OPINIONS. r ß y TBtEGBAPU.— SPECIAL REPORTER.] 1 WELLINGTON, Sunday. The Government chose an appropriate moment to lay on the table of the House of Representatives the report of the Railv ff ay S Board recommending the stoppage 0 f six of the seven railway lines now 'nDder construction. The special Economy Committee, which is now examining the finances of the country, had just begun jtj deliberations, and as the railways constitute one of the most contentious public questions at present, the report was referred direct to the committee for conlideration.

This report, which fearlessly faces the problem of constructing expensive lines without promise of adequate return, was received with mixed feelings by members 0 f Parliament. Some of those who have consistently pleaded the case for certain railways displayed genuine concern. The Leader of the Labour- Party, Mr. H. E. Holland, who for years has been a champion of the Westport-lnangahua line, disgustedly interjected: "The board's gone mad!" Other members were quietly amused. Ironical Laughter. The Minister of Railways, the Hon. W. % Veitch, was asked to explain briefly the recommendations of the board, a procedure not usually adopted during the presentation of reports. The Minister agreed to read the final paragraph relating to each line. The phraseology was gtrangely familiar and members laughed ironically as the Minister repeated the verdict on each line the construction of which the board considered was unjustified.

Consideration of the report by the House, which will take place as soon as it is convenient to settle a day on the Order Paper, will provide an interesting commentary upon the railway system. It remains to be seen whether the Government will sponsor the report as a policy decision, or whether it will be laid on the table of the House and discussed from an individual standpoint. The Prime Minister has not yet decided this point. Discussing it, Mr. Forbes said the procedure to be adopted would be for a resolution or series of resolutions to be moved in the House upon the board's conclusions, and Parliament would then take whatever action it desired.

Free Hand for Members. Whether the Government would or would not support the decisions of the board would have to be considered by the Cabinet, said Mr. Forbes. He thought, however, that members would be given a free land to discuss and vote according to their beliefs. Members of other parties are awaiting with considerable interest the decision of the Government regarding the handling ci the Teport in the House. Certain meinW* oi the Reform Party believe it should receive the full backing of the Government and he considered as a whole rather than piecemeal. Other members who are interested in certain lines, however, freely express the opinion that each line should be considered separately and judged upon its merits. The board's report bears a striking similarity to a minority report which was presented to Parliament last year by the Reform members of the special Railways Committee investigating lines under construction. Messrs. D. Jones, C. E. Macxmllan and, F. Waite recommended the cessation of expenditure on those lines and at variuus times in the House since that time have pressed Ihe case for stoppage upon the Government.

Conclusions Justified. These members and their colleagues now consider the Railways Board has justified their conclusions of last year, and are inclined to feel that had action been taken at that time, the tremendous cost of construction over the past, year would have been avoided, costs which, if the report is adopted, will prove almost useless. This report, synchronising as it does with the reported intention of the Railways Board to reduce fares and cut overhead administrative costs, shows the determination of the board to meet the problem of growing competiton from road services and to rehabilitate railways finance. Transport problems generally were discussed in the House on Thursday evening during the second reading debate on the .Transport Licensing Bill. The Minister of Transport, Mr. Veitch, explained that among the chief advantages to be gained from the co-ordination of transport that likely to follow the passage of tins bill would he substantial benefits to the primaiy producer. The cost of transport °f primary produce from farm to wharf w ßs expected to be lower and relief upon road costs 6hould, he. said, have material Actions in easing tlie burden of local rates.

House Resumes on Wednesday. 'lf a farmer could take a farthing per lb. off the cost of transporting cheese, butter dnd wool from farm to ship's side, Mr. Veitch .added, it. would mean a great deal when spread over the season's output, particularly just now when primary prooncers were working so close to the line. The Housb does not meet again until •Wednesday/ evening. In the meantime, ttost of the members are spending their time at their homes or quietly clearing Dp overdue correspondence at Parliament Buildings. The lobbies are quiet. The break in proceedings, however, will givo mcmberc opportunity to studv the railways report so that when the general financial situation is considered in the near future the discussion on railways may be undertaken with full information before the House. .■^ s^ e d i.f the board had explained why Stratford-Main Trunk line had not been referred to by the board, the Prime Minister said there had not \Vt, been ime to consider this line, which was Dearl y finished, lie was unable to say Whether a supplementary report would be presented about, it later.