The Estimates

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 94, 25 August 1923, Page 7

The Estimates

RAILWAYS VOTE.

Per Press Association

Wellington, August 24

, The working railways vote of £6.050,000,was discussed in tho House after midnight, in spite of an appeal made by Mr H. E. Holland (Leader of the Labour Party) to defer the rest of the Estimates until to-mor-row on account of the strain of long hours upon members. Mr Massey replied with an equally pathetic appeal to members to put the Estimates through for his sake and enable him to put the business of tho Houso through before ho loft. He, too. was suffering from want of sleep and was a very tired man. Mr. Holland offered to put the Estimates through to-morrow by eleven o’clock and the Public Works Estimates through during tho afternoon. Mr. Wilford (Leader of the Opposisaid that while anxious to put the Estimates through ho could not agree to any limination of time, and so the discussion wont on.

Mr P. Fraser (Wellington Central) moved to reduce tho general manager’s salary by £lO a a an imlication that full civil and- political rights bo granted to railway employees. This was defeated by 3b votes to 33. Mr Wilford then moved that the vote be reduced by £9 as a a indication thpt the hardship clause should be administered. /

Mr_ A...L. .Monteith—. -(Wellington East) gave particulars of several cases which ho claimed Caime within tho hardship clause, bub frhich had received no relief.

i Tlie Pi'emier replied that he was officially informed that quite a number of cases in the Railway Department had been met under the hardship clause. The debate was proceeding when tho telegraph office closed at 2 a.m.

AMENDMENTS DEFEATED,

TOTAL VOTE PASSED,

Wellington, August 2-5

After the Telegraph Office closed, the discussion on the Railway Estimates continued.

The'Minister, in reply to a question, said ho asked the general manager to report to him as to tho possibility of running a daily/ express between Dunedin and Invercargill. The review of tho tariff wag now in type, and was in process of consideration, but would, however, take some time to co-ordinate the many amendments which had been made from time to time. : While he did not hope to devise a tariff which would please everyone, ho was hopeful of getting something which would give general satisfaction. Tho percentages of reduction in overhead charges wore distributed amongst various items as follows; wages 6.3-1; locomotive, fuel, and running, 5.13; stores, materials, etc., .19; miscellaneous. .44. i '

At 2.30 Mr amendment was defeated by 34 to 29.

Mr Holland moved that th© vote ho reduced by £8 aa an indication that the appeal board asked for by the A.S.R.A. should be grunted.

j The amendment was loss by 33 j to 30. Mr Mcllvride moved to reduce the vot© by. £5 as an indication that before the reduction in income tax takes place the railway workers’ ' wages should be restored to their pre-war purchasing standard. This was defeated by 33 to 23. Th© total vot© was then passed, and at 2 .55 a.m. the House adjourned till noon.