Question Time In House

Chronicle (Levin), 1 September 1948, Page 6

Question Time In House

WLLLINGTQN", August 31. Questions were asked when the House of itepresentatives resumed this afteraoon. xUr. C. L. Carr (Timaru) gavo notice to ask the Minister of ITnaqce if he would consider calling in Australian coinage in New Zealand owing to its depreciation ioilowing New Zealand 's return to sterling parity. Mr. Carr eaid at present some people were accepting Australian coins at their face vhlue wliile others were not and ' ' pooner or later, as things are, someono is going tO be caught short. " Mr. S. W. Smith (Hobson) gave notice to ask the Minister of Lands if it was cqrrect that a house section in the Tamaki district, drawn by a retur^ed soldier who subsequently found he did' not want it, was not then offered to another returned soldier. "Was a member of Parliament, who is not a returned soldier, allowed to have the section and is it the Government's policy not to give another returned man in a ballot, lirst chance in'case of a withdrawal by the successful applicant? Did the Minister instruct the Commissioner of Crown Lands that a member of Parliament shciuld have preference over a returned soldier?" Mr. Gerard: That's a skinner. Mr. A. S. Sutherland (Hauraki) gave notice to ask the Prime Minister whether the Government intended to legislate to abolish the right to occupy the freeliold of Crown lands under existing tenure, " as a preliminary to the abolit.ion of all freehold tenures in New Zealand?" Mr. C. M. Bowden (Karori) gave notice to ask the Prime Minister whether the Government would arrange that, at various centres, opportunitv would be given to rec.ipients of honours liestowed by liis Majesty, and of Jubilee and Coronation medais," to meet their Majesties during their forthcoming visit to New Zealand. If so could. an early annooncement be made of'tlie natixre of such a function. Mr. Fraser said the question was obviouslv one he could not unswer. The itinerary and programme of the Itoyal tour liad already been discussed at Buckingham Palace. IIo would be propared to make representations on any reasohalile requests but that was all he "ouid do. Consideration must be given t^o the duration of the tour and to the need for rest periods. There was a limit to what even the most accommodating Monarcli could undertake and he hopcl consideration would be given to that fact when requests were made for funetions to be held during the tour.