PARLIAMENT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10494, 2 November 1912, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE.

. Per Press Association, - Wellington, November 2. ■ DEBATE ON PUBLIC WORKS - ESTIMATES. The House met at 10.30 and wem into committee on the Public Works Estimates. c , On the railways vote for £1,304,50(1' Mr Pearce moved to reduce the item of £17,000 for the Otira-Bealey line by £l, as an indication that a Commission should be set up to inquire whether the line would pay. Sir Arthur Guinness contended that the railway would prove valuable for freighting coal. He quoted figures which showed a saving oi da 2d per ton in favour of rail from the’ West Coast to Christchurch. Doubling the handling (detrimental .o ccal) had also to be-considered, and the carriage of timber would be an ■ important factor in the line, Mr Pearce said coal could be carried on scows at a lower freightthan charged by the Union Company, and also that the timber industry on the coast was not ex--tensive. "

Mr McKenzie said he would lijro to see Mr Pearce piloting a scow over the Grey River bar. The amendment was rejected by 48 to 4.

Tlie Railway vote was passed unamended. Pubilo Works, Post and Teleragph, Agricultural, Mental Hospitals, Public Health and School Buildings’ votes were pas.-wd piactically without discussion. Tlie whole of the estimates were ■ jjuvthrough. The House rose at* 1.10 a.m. am.; resumes at 2.30 on Monday.