FROM THE GALLERY.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18433, 14 September 1931, Page 6

FROM THE GALLERY.

DOINGS IN PARLIAMENT. REPORT OF RAILWAYS BOARD, i LOCAL AND PRIVATE BILLS. (Times Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Sunday. Normal sitting hours will he observed by Parliament once more when it resumes on Wednesday evening, for during the past three weeks its hours have been very much modified to enable the Special Inter-Party Economio Committee to have all the time possible to pursue the investigation it has been making in connecion with the national finances. With the exception of the report of the Government Railways Board little of inerest has happened in the House during the past week. The board recommended the immediate stoppages of work upon six of the seven railway lines at present under construction. No reference was made to the Stratford Main Trunk section, but it Is understood that this line was omitted in view of the fact that it is almost completed and will be in operation -.in a few months. Acting on the power conferred it by the Act of last session the board recommended the stoppage of work upon the Wharanul-Parnassus (South Island Main Trunk) line, the NaplerGisborne line, the Kawatiri-Inangahua line, the Westport-Inangahua line, the Okaihau-Rangiahua line and the Waio-1 * tira-Dargaville line. » Expenditure not Justified. In each instance the suspension advocated on the ground that the expenditure is not justified by the estimates concerning prospective profits or Josses. The board expresses the opinion that should its recommendations be adopted, £5,921,924 will be saved. The board states that unless a line shows a definite prospect of returning at least a reasonable amount of net revenue as a contribution toward interest charges, it appears that, notwithstanding what may have already been spent, the expenditure of any further moneys is not justified. From a financial point of view the completion of a line which would not return sufficient to meet operating expenses would be simply creating a recurring liability. Under the terms of the Act by which it was constituted the board Is empowered merely to make recommendations to Parliament concerning lines under construction. The Anal authority for the stoppage of constructional work rests with Parliament. Nature of Recommendations. Followihg the presentation of the report the Minister of Railways, Hon. W. A. Veitch, was pressed to inform the House of the nature of the recommendations.. This procedure is irregular, but with the leave of the House he did so. ' As he read the concluding phrase “ the construction is not justified ” at the end of the report on each individual line there was gen-;,, eral laughter, and the Leader- of the Labour Party, Mr H. E. Holland, usually very restrained) could not refrain from interjecting “ The board’s gone mad." From the initial reception accorded the report It is apparent that it will meet with strong criticism when an opporunity is given for discussion. When the Government is in a tolerant mood and is not too heavily oppressed by the need for haste, it allows private members an opportunity to expound their little ideals and ventilate their grievances. It was in keeping with this tradition that several times since the Special Economic Committee has been appointed the House of Representatives has permitted itself to be converted into a school for academlo thought and discussion without much' regard for the factor of definite accomplishment. The general rule, however, is to treat the privilege as an opportunity-for letting off verbal steam without scalding to any noticeable extent the sensitive skin of any particular party—steam whioh is pent up too long might explode disastrously. The result has been ’ that several private members’ Bills have received the consideration of , the house. Auckland Harbour Bridge.

During the week the Auckland Harbour Bridge Empowering Bill, which gives authority for a private company to build a bridge over the Waitemata Harbour and charge tolls, was passed. The measure contains iiO clauses. Several Labour members were crltioal of the fact that the company would bo given a franchise which they considered should be reserved for the people generally, but most of the comment from the Labour benches was withheld on the ground that the construction would provide work for a number over a long period. Two Government Bills passed were the National Provident Fund Amendment Bill and the Defence Amendment Bill, which were both passed without amendment. The former makes alterations in the existing law In order to enable local bodies to pay superannuation on the present scale, provided arrangements are made for contingent alterations in the scheme of payments, the Bill having been made necessary on account of the difficulties arising from the recent wage and salary reductions. The Defence Amendment Bill aims at extending the age of service in the New Zealand volunteer forces.