THE ESTIMATES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17104, 8 September 1917, Page 8

THE ESTIMATES

EE9OTSSK)N IN , pabt.tA'MKN'l' RAILWAY MANAGER CRITICISED. (Abridged from Press Association Telegram.)

WELLNGTON, September 7. The Estimates were considered by the House of Representatives to-day. '; At class ll—Treasury (£191,065),—in dis- '; cussing an item of £27.798 for the Land and Income Tax Department, Sir Joseph . Ward said he would Lave a table prepared ' showing typical casee of taxation as a guide to those desiring to make out' their own returns. —The vote was passed.' At class Hl—Post and Telegraph Depart- , ment (£1,456,086),—in replying to the Hon. ' Mr Rhodes, Sir Joseph Ward said that no ; "vote appeared this year for the Pacific cable because the cable was now paying, '' and no vote was required. It was not pos- , Bible to secure further cable concessions dur- ', ing the war, but arrangements were in course of development which would con- - uiderably improve the cable facilities. He '■ aleo stressed the point that he could not, ■ and "would not, provide birge sums for new '.' post offices until tho war was over. He waa entirely in sympathy with the proposal to lay a cable across Cook Strait for tele- , phone purposes. The present cables were not entirely suitable for that purpose, but me>r. were rarely available because they were needed for telegraphic work. There was a good deal of difficulty in laying such a cable at present, but as soon as possible - -he promised to have such a cable laid.— . The vote waa passed, after a lengthy diecusI BtOO. At class IV—working railways (£2,943,500) —Mr Veitch criticised the General Manager's connection with the Defence Department, contending that the Minister should secure his release from duties at the camps, and enable him to give up his whole time to the management of the railways. / Dγ Thacker attacked the management by . the general manager. ' Mr Wright defended Mr Hiley, contend- -• ing that members had no right to attack 1 'him when he was unable to defend himself. Mr Hornsby pointed out that there was great discontent in the railway eervice, and said that unless the present methods to subordinate officers ceased the result must be disastrous to the railways. Many of the \ best men were leaving, and others were \ contemplating doing so. That exodus roust be stopped by reformed management. Mr M'Callum demanded to know what time Mr Hiley was giving to the Defence Department. He contended that the Defence Department should pay for that service. Mr Herries explained that Mr Hiley was imported not only for the Railway Department, but for the good of the dominion i generally, and it would have been most improper to have refused to give the benefit of his experience and knowledge to the Defence Department when asked for, for that department more than any other would assist them to win the war. He denied that the railways had suffered, as this had been a record year. The railways had made profits which they never made before, and "no railways in Australasia could show such steady progress since the war began as the New Zealand railways had made.. Members ought to be proud of the way in which the railways were managed, for they were a • great example of State control. He admitted that there was discontent in the service, and said it was giving himself and tie general manager great anxiety.. He would regret very much if the fine body of men in the service disbanded, - but it was ' largely a matter of finance, which was not entirely in his hands. The high wages being paid by other employers could not go on £ot ever, and after the war he thought most of the men would come back. A good deal had been done in the direction of in--'creasing the men's wages, and what were called pin pricks on the men were decreasing, as the fines last year averaged 6d per man as against Ud per man in the previous year. The discussion proceeded, mainly on the .subject of suburban traira (which the Minis--1 ter refused to reinstate), until 11.45 p.m., ■when Mr Wilford to bring the position to a head by moving a reduction of £1 in the. Estimates as an indication that - the time had come when trains should bo , tan in suburban areas on Friday nights. ' The amendment was lost by 24 votes to • 12. Mr Wilford then moved to report progress on the ground that tho subject was • too large to be dealt with at one sitting. The amendment was lost on tho voices, Hid the vote was passed. Progress wae reported, and. tho House Pose at 0.4 a.m.