THE RAILWAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1920, Page 5

THE RAILWAYS.

DEBATE ON ESTIMATES, EIGHTS OF THE MEN. »y Telejtaph,—Prcßa kssoclatloL Wellington, Last Night. The flrat class in the Estimates ttfken in the House to-day was the working of the railways (£4,812,500). Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition) immediately moved that the sum be reduced by £5, as an indication to the Government that the time had arrived when full civil and political rights should be given to railway (Servants. There was no discussion on the amendment, and on a division the figures were 30 for and 30 against the amendment. The chairman (Mr. Malcolm) said that as he understood these civil and political- rights would, be given to the railway servants he would give his vote with the noes, and the amendment was thus rejected. Mr. H. B. Holland (Labor Leader) asked if the chairman's statement was made with authority. Mr. Massey: ''Yes, it was." He wanted an opportunity to explain the fact that full civil rights were now enjoyed by railway servants. They were entitled to become mcinbers of local bodies and borough councils, and in some instances ' were mayors of boroughs. So far ns political rights were concerned, at the last election he agreed to two men in the Wanganui workshops becoming candidates for Parliament, and after the election he agreed to their going backHo the service. Nothing that he could do had been left undone to give the railwaymen political rights. Mr. Holland: "They do not enjoy them as a legal right." Mr. Massey: "No, not by Act, perhaps." , .. . . .. . Mr. Holland: "You will not let them sit on Labor conferences." Mr. Massey: "I would be very sorry for railway men sitting on Labor conferences such as the hon. member (Mr. Holland) attended, but the men can do as thev liked." Mr. W.'K. Parry (Auckland Central): 'What about Reform conferences?" Mr. Holland: "I have your letter prohibiting them from attending Labor conferences." * Mr. Massey: "I don't care what vou have; the men can do as they like Mr Hampton, president of the A.S.R.S., took part in Labor conferences time after time." THE FREE AGE. Mr. G. Mitchell (Wellington Sontn) then moved to reduce the amount by £% as an indication that the age at which children were carried on the railways free be raised from three to seven years. M. Massey said it was all a question of finance. Only to-day the Government had been asked to increase pensions, and ho would be very glad to do so if lie could, but he could not give away all the revenue. Members argued that if lime and live stock were carried at low rates something should be done to help families. A suggestion was made bv Dr. A. K Newman (Wellington East)" that the free age should be'fixcd at five years. •Mr. Massey said Mr. Mitchell's proposal would cost £130,000. The proposal to reduce the age to five would greatly diminish the loss, and he would be prepared to favorably consider the suggestion, . If the concession wore granted, however, it would only-mean that; there would be less to expend in other, directions, as he considered the people were paying as much taxation as they could possibly bear. Later in the discussion, Mr. Massey said the recent increase in railway wages and salaries meant an increased expenditure of £790,000, and another £IOO,OOO was required for increases to the public service. If to the increases they added £150,000, which'thev would lose by way of revenue, then they would see that they would have to find a million of money, and he asked where they were going to get it from. The increases in fares and freights just made would just about produce revenue enough to cover the increases Tn wages and salaries. ' • On a division Mr. Mitchell's amendment was defeated by 32 votes to 28. The Minister said he would be glad to consider raising the age at which children would be able to travel at half fare to fourteen years, but the matter was one of money, and if the House went on making concessions it would be necessary to ask for increased taxation. There was no objection to raising the age- at which men could join the railway service if they were sound, but there might, as a result, be a serious interference with the superannuation scheme. On the voices the class Was passed unaltered.