THE DISTRICT RAILWAYS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1263, 14 May 1896, Page 30

THE DISTRICT RAILWAYS.

Wo extract somo remarks about these notorious railways from the Hansard report on tho discussion on tho third reading of tho District Railways Purchasing Bill. They will bo found interesting and refreshingly suggestive. Sir George Grey said : I only wish to saythat somo very-severe remarks have been made during this debate on the conduct of the hon mombor for Kumaraand of the hon member for Wellington South, and that I entirely identify myself with and endorse the course which those hon gentlemen have taken, notwithstanding the very cruel remarks which have been made, especially with regard to the lion member for Wellington South. Mr Soddon: I merely wish to draw the attention of the Premier to the fact that if he will look to Hansard of last year, containing tho report of the proceedings with regard to this matter, he will see that 1 did not vote for the third reading"!' tho Bill ; and the rcasjn why I did not do eo was that tho amendments which I had been promised were not agreed to in committee. Had they been inserted in the Bill I should have voted for it. As far as enquiry is concerned, I only wanted enquiry, and that is why I voted for the resolution of the Treasurer. I may add now that neither the Treasurer nor the Premier nor any member of tho Ministry has put any pressure on me with regard to this Bill, and therefore I can say that I am not one of thoso on whom pressure has been brought. I hope the Premier will not sneer at my conduct, but if ho does, f can only say that I am doing what is right for the country, and that ho will regret acting unjustly towards a warm friend. M* Fisher: I am not exactly aware of tho nature of the remarks made with regard to myself, for I did not take particular notice oi them, but I have no doubt there was nothing in them worth taking any notice of. As for the sneering of the Premier, what does that amount to? ' r he hon gentleman always sneers at every man who vote? honestly and aeeording to his convictions, if that voto coos not happen to suit the views of the Premier ; but surely the conscientious conviction which a man feels when ho thinks ho is doin.? riekt

is a sufficient solaco for tho sneer 3 of tho Premier.

Mr Stout : It is not a very prevalent practice in this House ; but when an hon member like the hon member for Wellington South is always talking about his honesty of purpose and tho purity of his vote it raises suspicion in one's mind that his action, or something in his life, gives rise to tho necessity for this continual protest.