THE RAILWAY ESTIMATES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3313, 12 September 1917, Page 40

THE RAILWAY ESTIMATES.

WELLNGTON. September 7. The Estimates -were considered by the House of Representatives to-day. 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. Dr Thacker attacked the management by the general manager. Mr Wright defended Mr Hiley, contending that members had no right to attack him when he was unable to defend himself.

Mr Hornsby pointed out that there was great discontent in the railway service, and said that unless the present methods to subordinate officers ceased the result must bo disastrous to the railways. Many of the best men were leaving, and others were contemplating doing so. That exodus must 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 I imported not only for the Railway Department, but for the good of the dominion 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 j that the railways had suffered, as this had i been a record year. The railways had made ! profits which they never made before, and I no railways in Australasia could show such steady progress since the war began as the i New Zealand railways had made. Members i ought to be proud of the way in which the railways were managed, for they were a great example of Stato control. He admitted that there was discontent in the service, and said it was giving himself and the general manager great anxiety. He would regret very much if the fine body of i men in the service disbanded, but it was j largely a matter of finance, which was not entirely in his hands. The high wages being i paid by other employers could not go on j for ever, and after the war he thought i most of the men would come back. A good deal had been done in the direction of ini creasing the men's wages, and what were ' called pin prick? on the men were decreasI ing, as the fines last year averaged 6d per j man as against lid per man in the previous year. 1 The discussion proceeded, mainly on the subject of suburban trains (which the Minister refused to reinstate), until 11.45 p.m., i when Mr Wilford sought to bring the posij tion to a head by moving a reduction of j £1 in the Estimates as an indication that : the time had come when trains should be . run in suburban areas on Friday nights. I The amendment was lost by 24 votes to ■ 12. I Mr Wilford then moved to report progress on the ground that the subject waa too large to be dealt with at one sitting. ! The amendment was last on the voices, and the vote was passed. Progress was reported, and the House i rose at 0.4 a.m.