ROLLING STOCK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12082, 10 August 1917, Page 3

ROLLING STOCK.

ItETORT OF COMMISSION. A LIVELY DISCUSSION. • [From Oru CoßnEsroNnr.NT.l WELLTXGTOX. August 9. rhe House discussed at; some length >day the report, of tho Railway Roll-ing-stock Commission published a few months ago, and now./tabled by the Minister of Railways. The Commission camo to the conclusion that, the rollingstock was in good onhr, and that the charges brought by Mr "Wilford and Mr Vciteh regarding the danger ol using pieced springs on waggon drawbars were unjustifiable, there bring no danger in the practice. Mr Wiiford characterised the Commission as a " national rolling eomiiusjion, a larg P whitewashing institution for the purpose of giving men already fat in their profession a chance of making fat fees." fie suggested that all the witnesses being railwaynun on their trial, naturally agreed with every point put by '-ho departmental advocate, and there was no cross-examination to break down the unanimous story. Mr Veitch, Mr Isitt and Dr Thacker took a similar line, declaring that tho Department carefully avoided calling mon'who could throw real light on the state of the rolling-stock. Mr Isitt stated that tho last point was put to him by rail way men, who considered the Commission a farce. • Mr Forbes declared that the allegations did not justify an expensive Royal Commission.

Mr Hindmarsh agreed that tho Commission was utterly unnecessary, but asked -why a Government so fond of Dommissious would not grant an inquiry into the many charges made igainst tho Defence Department. This had been refused. It was highly indecent that, the Government should cmploy on this expensive Commission as departmental advocate a gentleman who was a member of a firm at tho head of -which was a member of the Government.

This last remark by Mr Hindmarsh drew the Prime Minister to his feet with vigorous protest. "The honourable morn bo r says that if he Is an unpaid Minister it would be. better to pay him properly than to pay him as he is being paid now," said Mr Massey, adding to th 0 accompaniment of loudly expressed demands from Mr Hindmarsh. "That is a very serious and uncalled for imputation against an honourable man."

Mr Speaker repealed the caution to the member for imputing improper motives.

Mr Hindmarsh: T never said such a thing. What I said was that a p.irtner of ono of the Ministers was hired as paid counsel, and I think if h 0 were paid a high or a low fe 0 it v.-as the duty of tho Railway Minister to tell us. I said he was a partner of the firm of which Sir Francis Bell is a member.

Mr Lee: Ho was not a partner in that transaction. Mr Hindmarsh: I said that» was bow it is arranged. After Air .Hindmarsh had proceeded further Mr Speaker said: 1 think the honourable member should prove his remarks before bringing them forward. Thon he should not bring them forward in tho way he does.

Mr Hindmarsh (excitedly): T say I am not reflecting on the Minister.

Mr Speaker: Tho member must propeed in a propor manner. .Mr Hindniarsh: I am proceeding in a proper way. ] say that, counsel in this case was a member of the firm or Bell, Gully, [Jell and Myers, and that Bir Francis 801 l is a member of t-iin Ministry. J was not reflecting on Sir Francis 801 l at all. I said that if that is the way he is paid it- is bet-tor he should Ik- paid a salary. In my dwii opinion there is no moi'e honourable man in New Zealand than &ir Francis Bell, bur F repeat that it tvas a scandalous thing, .and I think the people of New Zealand will say it was a, scandalous thing, to appoint counsel from that firm when counsel was not required. Tho TTon AV. H.'TTerries stated that it Was because of his knowledge of railway matters that Mr Myers was selected. Sir Francis Bell had assured him that while he tvas a member oi the Ministry no part of tho profits of his firm ever went into his pocket. No suspicion could, therefore rest on the honoured name of Bell. Tho Minister ibsolutely denied that the Department ipecially covoren up anything to get ready for the inquiry. Members win) .'omplained that the Commission was • xpensive and oucht not to have been set. up were really reflecting on Mr Wilford for raising frivolous questions. Mr Gilford: Keep on beating the party drum. The Ministor retorted that this was She usual motive behind Mr AYi I ford's {tosh statements. Tho Department thould not be mad© the sport of party politicians. Mr Wilford later got tho opportunity of retort. " T're stood to this National Government.*' he vid. "I've iee>n it tottering, but propped it up. daughter.)