DOMINION PARLIAMENT

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18806, 30 November 1932, Page 8

DOMINION PARLIAMENT

RAILWAYS REPORT

COMPLETION OF LINES.

URGED BY GOVERNAIENT AIEAIBER.

WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED. WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The report of the Government Railways Board was discussed In the House of Representatives to-day. Air E. ,T. Howard (Labour —•Christchurch South)- suggested that the railways could be run more economically, give better service, and compete successfully i with motor services. He did not understand why Diesel engines had not been used. Air A. J. Murdoch (Government— Alarsden) expressed ihe opinion that it would he advantageous to complete some o fit he lines on which work had been suspended. He said there was plenty of unemployed labour in the country, and lie believed it would be better lo employ this labour in completing railway lines than in some of the work it was performing to-day.. It would surely be possible to earn interest on some of the money that had been spent on railway projects, but as long as lines were left 'uncompleted, no interest c.ouhl. be earned. Replying to Ihe discussion, the Prime Alinistcr, Air Forbes, said the policy of ihe Railways Board was lo get the best use out of the railways and at the same time lighten I lie burden on the taxpayer as much as possible. There had been allegations that the rolling stock had deteriorated, but he could give those statements a denial. He could assure members that experts-of the department were watching the development of Diesel engines very c-loscly, and would be willing to • recommend the adoption of these engines in New Zealand once they were certain tiiat they would benefit the country. Auckland Station Criticised. Several Labour members complained about the inconvenience caused by the distance of the Auckland station from the heart of the city, and alleged that the expenditure involved had been unjustifiably high. “I say the erection of the station was a wanton waste of public money,” said Air At. J. Savage (Labour- —Auckland West). “The railway station is practically in the bush. Auckland deserved a better station, but if about one-tenth of the money expended on the new station had been spent on the old station, it would have served its purpose for years to come.” Mr Forbes said when the Auckland station was built times were prosperous, and visions were entertained of the railways having to deal witli double the amount of traffic then being handled. Unfortunately, those optimistic views had not been realised. ■Not only the Government, but aisu private individuals, would like to have some of the money spent in the boom days. The fact, was that everyone had been too optimistic and the Government was no different in that respect from others. Purchase of Napler-Wairoa Lino. Mr W. E. Barnard (Labour—Napier) mentioned the possibility of a private company being formed to take over, complete and operate the tines between Napier and Wairoa. He asked the Prime Minister whether arrangements could be made for the Railways Board lo hand back to the Public Works Department the portion which it. controlled and which it never intended to operate. This would ..enable Hie negotiations to be brought lo an issue, because those interested in Ihe completion of the line would at least be able to make definite proposals.

THE HOSPITALS BILL. REDUCTION BY ORDER-IN-COUNCIL SEVERAL MEMBERS OBJECT. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The committee stage of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Amendment Bill was commenced in the House of Representatives to-day. A division was taken on the clause providing for an inquiry by commissions into the reconstitution of districts* the alteration of boundaries and the advisability of closing institutions. The clause was retained by 3-i votes lo 18. Mr. A. E. .lull (Government—Waipawa) took exception lo the clause giving power, following a recommendation by a commission, to reduce the number of hospital districts by Or-dcr-ln-Council. He declared Hint an issue of that kind should be decided by Parliament. This view was supported by Labour members and also by some Government in embers. Mr. H. M. Campbell (Government-—Hawke’s Bay) described the clause as thoroughly obnoxious. The linn. J. A. Young. Minister of Health, said the clause did not propose to close any hospitals. It, proposed to deal with Hie question of hospital districts. Under the existing law, hospital districts had power to amalgamate if llicy desired to do so. lie, said Ihe object of the clause was lo make for greater efficiency and a reduction in the cost, of administration. The clause, was retained by 28 votes to 2P. Messrs. H. Almore, 11. M. Campbell, .1. Hargcst, A. E. .lull, It. S. S. Kyle and A. M. Samuel joined Labour members in voling against it. Further progress was delayed by a Ions: discussion on Ihe clause providing for power by Order-in-Gounei! following a recommendation py a commission for closing institutions and restriding forms of relief. This clause was still before Ihe House when progress was reported at. midnight. MORTGAGORS’ RELIEF. NEW CLAUSES INTRODUCED. MEASURE PASSED BY HOUSE. WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Two new clauses to Ihe Mortgagors’ and Tenants’ Kurt her Relief

Bill were introduced by GovernorGeneral’s Message in the House of Representatives to r day. One clause states that the provisions as to the relief of lessees may be extended to licences for the cutting and removal of timber or (lax or for the extraction of coal as if such licences were leases and as if the royalties or other payments reserved thereunder were rent. The same provisions may be extended to apply to' any way-leaves or other easements granted in relation to rights conferred by any such licence and payments reserved under it. Application for relief from the conditions of any licence to which me clause refers may be made only to the Supreme Court .and it shall not bo necessary for the Court to refer any such application to an adjustment commission. The other clauses provides for an extension of the term “lessee" to include a person who has guaranteed the performance by a lessee of any covenant, condition or agreement expressed or implied in the lease. The bill, together with the new amendments, was put through the committee stage, read a third time and •passed. FIRE BRIGADES. AMENDMENTS TO ACT. ONE BOARD FOR AUCKLAND: WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Provision for the constitution of a united lire district for the Auckland metropolitan area, as from March 31, 1933, is the principal purpose of the Fire Brigades Amendment Bill, which was Introduced and read a first time in the House this evening. It is proposed that the metropolitan fire district shall comprise the city of Auckland, the boroughs of Mount Eden, Mount Albert, Newmarket, Onehunga and One Tree Hill, the road districts of Mount Roskill and Mount Wellington and the town district of Ellcrslic. The passing of the bill will save £.1(12 in Government subsidy. In addition, extra contributions will be payable by insurance companies, wliich will result in a saving to Auckland ratepayers of at least £2500 annually, and it is also anticipated that considerable administrative savings will be made. Numerous amendments are proposed to Hie Fire Brigades Act by the bill. The clause relating to the disqualification of members is amended. As a result, a member will not. lie disqualified if any contract be makes wild a board does not exceed £lO, or £23 altogether in any one year, while the Audit office, on the application of a board, may approve in special cases or the making of contracts up to £SO. The previous limits were £5 for one contract, or an aggregale of £lO in one- year.

The date of the biennial ejections of fire boards is altered from February !o May as from next year. The date of annual meetings is altered from Man'll to April. A clause in I lie Act relating to a fire board contracting with contiguous local authorities for lire protection purposes is extended so that Iho owner of a properly outside a fire district may also make an agreement with a lire board for a similar purpose. The provision relating to the giving of false alarms is also extended to enable (Ire boards lo offer rewards nii lo £b for the conviction of persons committing such an offence.