FUTURE LINES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22389, 8 April 1936, Page 15

FUTURE LINES

INVESTIGATION FIRST MINISTER AND BOARD EXPLANATION OF REMARKS "DEALING WITH PRINCIPLE" [BV TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Tuesday An outline of possible future acts of the Railway Department was given by the Minister of Railways, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, in replying to the debate on the second reading of the Government Railways Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives to-night. Mr. Sullivan also made a further reference to the business interests of members of the Railwavs Board.

Referring to a clause in the bill which will enable the department to co-operate with and conduct air and other services, the Minister said that this was no new departure; similar provision had been made in previous Acts. The railways had to keep abreast of modern transport developments. There need be no fear that railway construction in the future would be commenced without thorough investigation. The Prime Minister had stated that the Government would come to the House for authority to spend money, and there would be ample opportunity for members to see for themselves that the proposed works were justifiable and payable .propositions. Ever since he had taken office investigation had been proceeding, and full details of proposed schemejurould be laid before the House.

Mr. Sullivan said that there had l)ocn considerable misrepresentation regarding his references to the Railways Board. He had made plain from the start that he was dealing with a principle and not with individuals. He had gone out of his way to throw his argument into a correct light as a discussion of a form of control.

In reply to an interjection from the Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon: G. W. Forbes, Mr. Sullivan said he agreed that there was no evidence regarding tenders from Mr. D. Reese or his firm against the Maniaku sawmill. The West Coast Sawmillers' Association had tendered, and the Minister had assumed that Mr. Reese's firm was a member of that association. The Prime Minister, Mr. Savage: The system is wrong, anyhow. Mr. Sullivan: I was not petty enough to g«t down to an attack on these men, but I contend that no man can serve two masters.

At the conclusion of the Minister's speech the division was taken and the second reading was carried by 52 votes to 17.

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT POLICY OF GOVERNMENT NO DECISION REACHED [BY TF.LKGRAPH SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Tuesday The Government has not yet determined its final policy regarding capital punishment, according to a statement made in the House of Representatives to-night by the Minister of Justice, Hon. H. G. R. Mason, in reply to an urgent question from Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (Opposition—Waitomo). Mr. Broadfoot asked for a definition of the Government's attitude, and the Minister replied that the matter had still to receive attention from the Cabinet. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THE ADDRESS-IN-REPLY [BT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Tuesday The Ad<lre.ss-in-Reply debate was resumed in the Legislative Council to : day by the Hon. M. Connelly (Otago). who criticised expenditure on preparation for war while people were unemployed. The Hon. W. H. Mcintyre (Nelson), deplored*party politics in the council, maintaining that members should be independent. The Hon. V. A. Ward (Wellington), urged the necessity for Imperial defence and suggested that New Zealand should strengthen its air force and coastal defences. The dangers of an elective council which would bring party politics on to the floor of the cTiamber were emphasised by the Hon. L. M. Isitt (Canterbury). The Hon. W. Perry (Wellington), stressed the potential danger of the international situation and urged preparedness to meet a possible crisis by the co-operation of the New Zealand and British Governments in a policy of Empire defence. The Reserve Bank Amendment Bill was read a first time. The Leader of the Council, Hon. M. Fagan, said the second reading would be taken tomorrow morning. The Address-in-Reply motion was carried and the Council adjourned.