QUESTION TIME IN HOUSE

Chronicle (Levin), 23 July 1947, Page 2

QUESTION TIME IN HOUSE

■Press Association

THE PRESS, ELECTRICITY AND SHIPPING

By Telearaph-

WELLINGTON, July 22. Questions came briskiy from the Opposition beuches when the House of Representatives resumed today but formal business passed uneventfully before the resumption of the second reading debate on.the Dairy Marketing Commission Bill. Mr. A. M. Finlay (North Shore) gave notice to ask tlie Prime Minister whetlier he would consider the advisability of following the example of Great Britain and conduct an inquiry into the ownership and linaneiai control of the metropolitan newspapers of New Zealand with a view to assuring the people of this country that tliey enjoy the gieaiest possible frqedom of the press. Mr. F. W. Doidge (Tauranga): The great frtt don> in the world. (Note: When a similar quesnon was asked last year by Mr. Richards, tlio Prime Minister 's reply was that the inatter would be "given consideration"). Mr. C. M. Bowden "(Karori) in conjunction with Mr. R. M. Algie (Remuera) gave notice to ask the Minister of Customs if the department had issued permits for the entry into New Zealand as residents, of a.number of Eurasians who recently arrived on a ship from India. yMr. Bowden asked what was the Government's policv as to the admisdon of other Eurasians who might. seek to leave India because of the impending termination of British rule in that country. Mr. A. S. Sutherlan/1 (Hauraki) and Mr. W. J. Sullivan (Bay of Plenty) gave notice to ask the Prime Minister if his attention had been drawn to a statement issued by the Matson lino whercin it was stated that the slow turn round op ships had made the Pacific trade unattractive.Mr. Fraser: At which end? Mr. Sutherland: At this end. Mr. Sutherland asked what steps the '.lovernnient proposed to take to rcmove •■he delavs and assist in re-establishing he service. Mr. Sutherland, in a note to the ques'ion. said future tourist trade from America was very important as a means >f building up our dollar fund. A valuable cargo trade to and from this •ountrv was also in danger. Mr. W. S. Goosrhan (Piako) in an urgent question, asked the Minister of Works whether, in view of the statement that Mr. J. 'J1. Gilkison, an cngineer of the Ilvdro-electric Department, was going to the United States and Canada to inspect power plants and adminisDative centres, the Minister -would state if it was intended that this officer should interview manufacturers of stea.m generating plant in an endeavour to find out how soon snitable plant for both the North and South Islands could be available. Mr. Semple replied that Mr.' Gilkison was coneerned with the construction sido of hydro-electric projects but Mr. A. E. Devonport, chief electrical engineer of the department, was being sentr abroad in an effort to proeure power generating plant including stoam plant suited to New Zealand conditions.