M.P.s' QUERIES ANSWERED

Chronicle (Levin), 7 October 1948, Page 10

M.P.s' QUERIES ANSWERED

Press Association)

P To Be Consulted On Military Service

(Per

WELLINGTON", Oct. 6. Thirty-five Ministcrial replies to questions were circulated in the House of Representatives today. Mr. Fraser, in a reply (written before.his departiireyto a question by Mr. W. A.. Sheait: JPatea, Opposition) said the. Government would decide on the action to be taken in regard to national service on his return from the Prime Ministers' Confereuee. He would-. be pleased to. eonsult with the Federation of Labour, Employers' Federation, Labour Party, Keturned Services' Association and other organisations of exservicenten *o'n this all important question. He wbuld be- pleased also to eonsult the Opposition, N.ational Party and all other interested bodies. "I trust that a maximum of unanimity can' l?a reached both in Parliament and among the people as a whole, as to the necessity for thoroughly efficient def ence f orces, ' ' said Mr. Fraser. •Mr. Sheat- had asked if the Government 's decisions on such matters must follow those of the Federation of Labour. Mr. Fraser, answering Mr. 0". T. Watts (St. Albans, Opposition) said. he would • not consider consulting the Waterside Workers ' Union on international aifairs nor would he consider including a watersider in New Zealand 's future delegations to international conferenees. Dollar Losses On Wool Resold. Mr. Nash, replying to Mr. T. L. MacDonald (Wallace, (jpposition) said the question of possible dollar losses arisiug from purchases of Australian and New Zealand wool by European countries for re-expoi't to the United States had been the subject of a communication between the Australian, British and New Zealand Governments with a view to safeguarding dollar earnings from wool exported. There was evidence that Australian wool had already been resold to the United Stat'cs by European importers and possibly also some New Zealand wool. To safeguard New Zealand 's position the i Government had discussed the question with roprcsentatives of the New Zealand Wool Buyers' Association and the proeedure to be operated by the Keserve Bank in conjunction with the Customs Departnieut, had been arranged on a basis mutually acceptable to the wool buyers' representatives and to the Government. Individual wool buyers had been informed of this. Mr. Nash, answering Mr. K. J. Holyoake (Pahiatua, Opposition) said there was no provision in the produce agreements between Britain and New Zealand for an alteration in prices in the event of the devaluation of storiing in terms of the dollar. However, the British Ghancellor of the Exchequer had said his Government had no intention of making any such devaluation. Mr. E. L. Cullen replying to Mr. J. J. Maher (Otaki, Opposition) said Cabinet had iustructed Bir Leonard Isitt, chairman of directors of National Airways Oorporation, and Mr. 11. B. Tenneut, Assistant Hirector-General of tlie Department of Agriculture, both of wiiom wero now in Britain, to investigate the availability of suitable aircraft for aerial topdressing. Their report and recommendations regarding the p'urchase of a machine to carry out full scale trials, were awaited. Miss Howard, replying to Mr. E. P. Adennan (New Plyiuouth, Opposition) said the New Plyiuouth Hospitai Board had now arranged that any patient not wishing to join in religious services or objecting to them, would be temporarily shiftcd from the ward wliile the services were in progress. Mr. T. H. McCombs answering Mr. J. R. Marshal (Mt. Victoria, Opposition i said the Government intended in the near future to put into effect some of the recommendations of the report on building and civil engineering research by Eeginald Stradling but to what extent his recommendations would be followed could not yet be stated. Mr. Nash, replying to Mr. Sheat, said the Government regarded all accounts in the Bank of New Zealand as seeret just as in the case of any other trading bank. For that reason the Government did not seek information from the bank as to the affairs of any private company. Mr. Sheat had asked if the bank held adequate securities for advances made to Labour Newspapers Ltd., publishers of the Southern Cross. Bloodhounds For Police. Mr. Nash, replying to Mr. W. H. Fortune (Edeu, Opposition) said the question of purchasing and training dogs for the assistance of the police in tracking persons, was investigated some years ago but owing to the divided opinions of the authorities in other countries as to the value of dogs for this purpose, and the cost of establishing and maintaining special training grounds and kennels and employing trained dog inasters, it was concludecl that the expense would not be warranted. Further inquiries would now be made with a view to a reconsideration of the matter. Mr. Semple, answering Mr. E. B. Corbett (Egmont, Opposition), said the snpply position of cement and steel had not improved sufficiently to justify lifting the present restrictioirs on the use. of those materials. In the granting of a permit for the construction of fthej ^-.Christchurch swimming baths, conditions were made that steel drawn from local stocks must be re imbursed from Belgian stock while cement would be drawn from the GoJden Bay Works where stocks had accumulated owing to shipping diffieulties, at such times as would not interfere with normal distribution. Mr. McLagan, answering Mr. J. K. McAlpine (Selwyn, Opposition) said no dehnite infQTmation was availabie re garding the time taken for the dis charge of i'ron ore cargo at Antwerp, which was .reported recently to be at the rate of 1500 tons an hou-r. It was, however, understood that this cargo was carfiecU in specialiy designed vessels and discharged by elevators or other' iheehatrieal means. It was not niauhaucUed! ' Mt. Masou atiswering Mt'. Joaos, sntd

. ^ the Government did not intend to introduce legislation this session prtKVi.1ing for the reintroduction of capilal punishment. \ ^ — — ,