Sugar Stocks High

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31093, 23 June 1966, Page 3

Sugar Stocks High

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 22. Substantial stocks of sugar were being held in New Zealand and any review of prices would be dealt with by the Prices Tribunal at the appropriate time, the Act-ing-Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Lake) told Parliament today.

Mr Lake had been asked by Mr W. A. Fox (Opp., Miramar) if the retail price of sugar would be reduced in view of the drop in world prices. Mr Lake said sugar was price controlled and would be reduced when a reduction was warranted. “It is 15 years since the consumer price of sugar has been lower than the present 7jd a pound,” he said. Trade With Asia There had been an “almost spectacular” increase in New Zealand’s trade with E.C.A.F.E. countries in recent years, the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said. He was replying to Mr H. J. Walker (Govt., St. Albans). Mr Holyoake said the similarity of Asian economies tended to restrict trade prospects there for New Zealand. “But the New Zealand delegation plays a very active and worthwhile part in Asian trade,” he said.

Power Site The recommendation by an overseas consultant for the siting of the proposed coalfired power station would be available when the report of the Town Planning Committee was tabled next month said the Minister of Electricity (Mr Shand) in reply to Mr W. E. Rowling (Opp., Buller). Mr Shand said there had

been considerable discussion with local authorities in the three areas suggested for the site and with officers of the Electricity Department. For example at Wanganui—one of the suggested sites — there were problems because of the airport. He doubted if much had been discussed about the possible site at Porirua.

Postal Charges The Postmaster-General (Mr Scott) said he had no intention of reducing Post Office charges to the level which had pertained under the Labour Government.

Mr A. J. Faulkner (Opp., Roskill) had asked if whether Mr Scott would do this in view of the report by the AuditorGeneral (Mr B. D. A. Greig) that Post Office revenue was increasing faster than expenditure. Mr Scott said that under the Labour Government there had been serious deterioration because the Post Office had always been short of money for capital expenditure.

Mr Faulkner also asked whether, in spite of increased demand for Post Office services, people could only look forward to increased charges under a National Government. Mr Scott said they would not. No Interference The Government could not interfere with the legal rights of the Auckland University Council, said the Minister of Education (Mr Kinsella). Mr W. E. Sheat (Govt., Egmont) had asked if the Auckland University had autonomy under its own act and if the Government had any responsibility in such a matter. Mr Kinsella replied: ‘The university is an autonomous institution governed by its council, which is responsible under Section 17 of the University of Auckland Act, 1961, for the entire management of university affairs. “It is true that in academic matters the council must consult the senate.”

Underground The Minister of Works (Mr Allen) said both Auckland and Wellington had approached the Government about the possibility of constructing underground rail extensions in the cities. “A committee of officials under the chairmanship of the Commissioner of Transport is studying the economics and feasibility for Auckland and the proposed Wellington underground route is also receiving consideration,” he said. Keeping Peace Possibilities for consolidation and expansion of the United Nations’ capabilities in the peace-keeping role were being studied by a special committee set up by the Security Council, Mr Holyoake said.

Answering Mr D. Maclntyre (Govt., Hastings) he said there were difficulties because France and Russia insisted on retaining their power of veto. “I regret that no agreement may be reached in the near future,” he said. Of 118 members of the United Nations, only nine had indicated a specific contribution to the peace-keeping proposal. Another 12 or 13 members had indicated they would support it, Mr Holyoake said.