THE SESSION RESUMES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17588, 2 October 1931, Page 9

THE SESSION RESUMES

LITTLE INTEREST SHOWN RAILWAY REPORT ATTACKED. PROCEDURE CRITICISED (Her Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. With the hew Government, occupying the Treasury benches and Labor its the Official Opposition, the lipase of Representatives met this morning, lhe very thin attendance in the galleries indicated that the public had satisfied itself that temporarily, at least, the sensational developments that characterised recent sittings had come to an end. There is likely to be renewed interest, however, when the policy statement is submitted on Tuesday. Replying to the Leader of the Opposition,’the. Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes said that after the financial statement was presented' by the Hon. W. _ Downie Stewart on Tuesday, consideration of, it would be adjourned till Thursday to enable members to thoroughly understand:, the position. In the meantime it was proposed to deal with resolutions relating to the Railway Board’s report on lines under construction. Mr. I>. G. Sullivan: Will there be a free, vote of the House? Mr. Forbes: I trust there has never been other than a free vote in this House. Mr. H. E. Holland: Will it be a nonparty vote? Mr: Forbes: I trust members will dpal with the report entirely frorn the standpoint of the country’s interests, and not on party considerations. V1 8 hope that they will also not consider it from the point, of view of t the elections. Mr. Sul}ivan : Will th'e party whips be applied?. Mr. Forbes: I, trust members of tile him. gentleman’s, own party will, be. perfectly free to vote for what, tffey think best in the interests' of the country; Mr. R. Semple: Will there be one motion dealing with the whole report? Mr. Forbes: As recommendations are all of the same nature the position can be met by one motion. Mr. W. D. Lysnar: Will you expect a decision before the Select Committee has dealt with the petition signed by some thousands of residents of Gisborne? Mr. Forbes said the country could not afford to hold up the matter pending consideration of any petition. Members were fully aware of the position regarding railway construction. The Dominion could not afford to go on spending thousands of pounds daily without any prospect of a return for that expenditure, which would be tbo case if the House decided that the work was not to be stopped. It was essential that a decision should be reached without delay. Mr. W. E. Barnard (Lab., Napier) protested against the, course proposed by Mr. Forbes in'regard to the Railway Board’s recommendations. He said it woiild mean only two or three days’ delay if opportunity were given ' for hearing the evidence of petitioners relating to the Napier-Gisborne line.