N.Z. PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18158, 24 October 1930, Page 7

N.Z. PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. RAILWAY FUEL. CONFINED TO COAL. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. The Legislative Council met at 10 a.m. to-day. Replying to a question by the Hon. E. A. Clark (Otago), the ActingLeader ’of the Council, the Hon. R. Masters, said it was'not the policy of the. Railway Department to convert their locomotives into oil -burners, as the alteration of the boilers to make them suitable for oil burning would be expensive and mean the abandonment of the use of coal by the department, and would cause a great deal of unemployment.

FINANCE BILL DEBATED.

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. The Finance Bill was received in the Legislative Council to-day from the House of Representatives. On the second reading the Hon. Sir James Allen (Otago) said it was a roost unsatisfactory way of legislating as it gave no chance for the proper consideration of the Government’s proposal when the measure was introduced so late in the session. The Hon. W. Earnshaw (Wellington) took exception to the borrowingproposals and characterised them as gross extravagance. The Hon. Sir Frances Bell (Wellington) stressed the need for the parties coming together in order to deal with the complicated question of railway construction. Replying, Mr Masters said'the committee was at present considering the question of railway construction, the importance of which was fully realised by the Government. The Bill was passed at 11.30, and the Council adjourned till 2.30 p.m.

WAITAKI POWER WORKS.

ALLEGATIONS OF INSTABILITY. (Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. A prospective disaster at the Wai-taki-Hydro-Electric Works comparable to that which had occurred at Arapuni was visioned by Mr C. L. Carr (Labour —Timaru), when speaking on the third reading of the Finance Bill in the House of Representatives -today. - In his reply, the Minister of Public Works, Mr Taverner, said that Professor P. G. Hornell had, waited on him for instructions prior to proceeding to Waitaki. He had given the professor no order of reference, but had told him to make a complete and thorough inspection. The professor, on his return, had discussed his investigations, but his report would take some time ,to prepare. Mr Taverner said there was nothing in the conversation he - had had with the professor on hi? return from Waitaki which had left the impression in the Minister’s mind that any anxiety was felt about the Waitaki scheme.

' APPROPRIATION BILL.

" UNDER DISCUSSION. (By Telegrar.n.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. The House of Representatives met at 10.30 this morning. The Appropriation Bill was introduced by Governor-General’s message and read a first time. Urgency was accorded the passing of the bill through all Its stages. Explaining the- measure the ActingPrime Minister, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, said no new principles were embodied in it. The debate on the second reading of the bill was still in progress when the House adjourned at 1 p.m.