POLITICAL NOTES

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16988, 10 November 1920, Page 8

POLITICAL NOTES

(special to "the press.") \\ I'JLLIN GTOX, November "J. Bank Clerks. Mr McCombs in the House of Ilopiosentatives this morning asked the Prim." Minister if he was aware of the dissatisfaction among bank clerks who won not working under an industrial award. Thoy had, ho said, boon trying to get tho directors to moot, thoin regarding wages, I)Ut had failed and finally had become desperate, with the result* that suggestions had been made for striking They then got- an intimation from tin Contra! Kxecntivo in Wellington stating that the matter was being considered. Mr McCombs added that a conference had since been called and was sitting in secret, but this conference had onlv boon forced bv the threatened strike." He sjiid tho Government was represented :r. that conference and the bankers won represented by Findlay. Ho then corrected himself and said tliov wore represented by Skerrett. He "wanted to know what was the-, position of tho Government in tho uniter and whether this conference was beintr hold under tho Industrial Disputes Act ? Mr Masscy said the lion, moml'er had mntlo a very extraordinary statement regarding bank clerks. lie did notknow whether he was referring to one bank. I Mr McCombs: The whole of tho banks Mr Mn«scy: I have not hoard a sinclo word referring to it. Not- n hi"t of it has reached me. As for the Govornmotit boing_ represented at tho conference, T don't believe n word of it. Mr Nash: Tts onlv a herring being drawn across tho scent. Mr ITn"klv: Snniobndv lias been his lo<r." Mr Massev: That i-; not a very difficult onent ion. (T/ausrhter.l ' And when tho h<>n. gent'onian is referring to Mr Skerrett and >*vr John Findlay, I would suggest to him that ho refer to in the way a. gentleman usually does. Imnorts and Exports. The attention of tho Prime Minister was directe'l to-day bv Mr Luke to the tremendous increase of imports into Now Zealand for tho September quarter. The figures, he said, were £18,981,000, as against £0,517,000 for the corresponding quarter last year. Ho asked the Primo Minister what tho effect of this would be upon tho prosperity of the Dominion and suggested that a pronouncement might have a steadying effect upon the spending proclivities of tho people. Mr Massoy said that the question was a very important one, which might well bo given time for consideration. From one point of view it- was a good thing to boo the imports increasing, for it would have a steadying effect on prices and in all probability bring about a decrease in tho cost of living. There was another point of view that was somewhat serious. During the past eight or ninr, months tho imports from other countries had exceeded the oxports by t eight or ten millions, or probably more. That was had enough. In tho natural order of things the exports ought to exceed tho imports very considerably, because we had to keep tho country goinc and pav interest and sinking fund , on the money we had borrowed in the past few vonrs. Mr McCallmn: So long as the value of our assets here is increasing, it is all right. v Mr Masse.y: That may be so as far as it goes, but there is more in it than that I will look into the matter and perhaps make a statement a little latos on. Shipping Freights. A question recording tile prospective rise in shipping freights on produce was put to the Prime Minister by Mr Hawken in the House of Representatives to-day. Quoting from a circular issued by one of the shipping companies, Mr Hawken said it stated inat ships would be leaving for Britain shortly in which there would be a certain amount of epaco for free cheese. Although the insulated space was still under arrangement with the New Zealand Government it had been possible to arrange for the shipment of cheese to Liverpool. The freight would be 3}d - plus ten <per cent. Last year, said Mr HawkCri, the freight was lid and he wished to know whether anything could bo done. Tho froight was ten per cent, more than had been expected and he could see no reason for tne increase.

Mr Mnssey said the statement about the insulated spaco was not correct. It was reserved by the Imperial Government and not by the New Zealand Government. Mr Hawken: I am quoting from the circular. This was the first that ho had heard about any increase in the freight for cheese, said Mr Mnssey. Hia hands were rather full at present endeavouring to bring the work of the session to a close. As soon ns it had closed, he would be very glad to confer with the committee of producers and see whefhor anything could ho done in Nre matter. Duty on Wheat and Flour. The presence in the Finance Bill, introduced last night, of a clause providing for a protective duty on wheat and flour prompted Dr. Newman fo ask the Minister of Agriculture to-day whether there was any truth in tho rumour that the price of wheat for the coming season would probably be 9s a and that the price of bread would probably bo increased. The Minister (the Hon. W. Nosworthy) said that tho provision was put in tho Bill with a view to seeing that tho wheat growers were not put out of business by the dumping of flour and wheat from Australia. It had not yet been arranged what tho price of tinnew season's wheat would be to tho New Zealand farmer. It would have* to be based on the prico tTiat was to mile in Australia and that was not known at the present time. Parapara Leases. A new clause added to the "Washing Up" Bill by the House of Representatives provides that the Minister for Mines may grant protection for a period not exceeding four years from .January Ist, 1919, to the claims, licenses, and certificates of the Parapara HydraulicSluicing and Mining Companies Limited (in liquidation), if he is satisfied that genuine efforts are being made to provide capital for the working of anv mineral lease for which tlieso claims, licenses and certificates will ,bo of use. Apiari.e3 Bill.

The Apiaries Act Amendment Bil! was introduced by Governor-General's Message in the House to-day. Mr Bollard (in the absence of the Opposition): May I ask if this has anything to do with bees? Mr Massoy said that the Bill did relate to bees. TBAGEDY AT HENDERSON. « (PEXSS ASSOCIATION* TELEGRAM.) _ AUCKLAND, November £). Frederick Spearpoint, aged 23, charged -with assaulting his mother at Henderson, so as to cause actual l>odilv harm, was before the Court this morning, and remanded till Tuesday. Subsequently tho death in hospital of tho victim of the tragedy was announced. VISITORS TO THE CITY Should inspect tho windows of Geo. Bonnington Ltd., a charming display of Gift Articles and Toilet Necessities. Fascinating Perfumes and Bouutifu! Powders. Bonnington's are Toilet Specialists. 82881-7690