ITEMS DISCUSSED IN THE HOUSE

Chronicle (Levin), 5 October 1946, Page 8

ITEMS DISCUSSED IN THE HOUSE

WELLINGTON, Oet 4. It was gratifying to see that the prison population in New Zealand was deereasing but he did not know that there had been any deerease in juvenile crime, said Ilon. F. Jones, during a diseussiou in the House oi Eepresentatives this afternoon when the vote for the Depai'tment oi Justice and iTisons was debated. Mr. W. J. Polson said there was an increase in juvenile crime and more crimes of violenee were being committed. There were too many burglaries in cities and too few being deteeted because of insufficient police staff, and there was far too much pillaging of ,ships' eargoes. lion. D. G. Sullivan said it would be f a pity if Mr. Polson 's remarks were intexpreted to mean there was something bad in this country and that too many crimes were being comxnitted. The position was qxxite Uxe reverse and auything said to the contrary >vas detrilxxental to the xecords of the country. New Zealand was showing improved iigures in comparison with the xecords of other countxies. Sale of Houses Mr. F. Haekett (Grey Lynn) speaking to the vote for the Public Trust, saxd there was lack of eooperation on the part of that department in offering houses for sale. The Public Trust, he said, ofteix had houses for sale, but did not dream of going to the Rehabilitatioix Departmexit or of following the much advertised slogan to " sell to a serviceman." The xesult was that houses were bought by others. Mr. Haekett said in some cases employees of the Public Trust were guilty of misinterpreting the Fair Rents Act to get tenants puf of prox>erties so they couid be sold with vacant possession. Mr. Jones said in general the Public Trust worked in with Rehabilitation committees, but in nxany cases the beneliciaries in estates determined how properties should be disposed of. Pamir's Cargoes Mr. G. H. Mackiey (Masterton), speaking to the vote for the M.arine Uexxartnxent, said that for the barque Pamir s lirst three vovages fairly 'substantial prolits were ixiade but the last three had yielded losses and these were due to her carrying only part cargoes and high stevedoring. costs!' Had there beeix anj' ' success in obtaining more remunerative cargoes for the Pamir? Mr. Aiackley asked what was the policy regarding the nxanxxer of the Panxir whxch couid be put to very useful purpose in trainiixg future seamexx. Hon. J. O'Brien, replying, said that tlie Pamir, on the fxrst three voyages, made a proJit of about £5000 oxi each voyage but her latest voyages were not so successful. Now that there was more competition there was difficulty in finding full cargoes for her. She was still in conxinxssion and would be used for quite a long while j'et. There was a constaxit list of young men applying for positions on the Paxnir. It was lioped to secure sufficient cargoes for the vessel which was -doing a good job and had been useful. Mr. Mackiey: How many cadets are on her at present? _ Mr. O'Brien: Eleven or 12. Mr. W. S. Goosman: What is the cost of the coal she brought? Mr. O'Brien said the coal was estirnated to cost between £7 and £8 per , ton but the next cargo would cost about £10.