M.P. Wants Inquiry Into Red Activities

Chronicle (Levin), 30 June 1949, Page 9

M.P. Wants Inquiry Into Red Activities

♦ WELLINGTON,, June 29. . The presentation of a heavy batch of , questions, the introduction of a no coh-' fidenee motion by Mr Holland, and of a Bill providing for a referendum on compulsory , military training, made the first half hour in the House of Representatives this afternoon, a brisk one. „ Mr Fraser, answering a question by Mr W. H. Fortune (Eden) denied that there was evidence of increased drinking by Maori women. Mr Fortnne had asked whether, fin view of the very widespr ead publie concern at the alarming inerease in the eonsumption 'of spirituous liquors by Maori women, wili the Prime Minister without, delay see that amending legislation ia bronght down to eope with this great evil. ' ' Mr Fraser said there was no evidenee of the kind suggested. Mr A. S. Sutherland (Hauraki): You want to move round a bit. Mr Fraser said he had made full inquiries into the matter but if further inquiries should .support Mr Fortune 's allegation, then the matter would be given proper eonsideration. Mr Sutherland gave notice to ask the Prime Minister to consider appointing a Koyal Commission to inquire into and report on alleged subversive activities in New Zealand. Mr Sutherland said the president and others of the Auckland Trades ' Council, had reeently said the Communist boss in Auckland had dictatorial powers over trade unionists and that Communist practices in New Zealand included intimidation and the planting of Communist cells in selected industries. Mr J. J. Maher (Otaki), stating that the synthetic cream being made and sold in Wellington from ingredients imported from Australia, was indistiuguishable from genuine cream, asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he would take in the matter. Mr Maher said that if the importation of these ingredients were allowed, there would be a serious threat to New Zea land produeers. Ilon. E. L. Cullen, answering an urgent question by Mr T. E. Skinner (Tamaki) about egg supplies, said present indications were that egg production would inerease considerably during the coming year and this inerease

tvould be evident'not only in Auckland | and Wellington but also throughout New Zealand. In the last two months the total eggs received at all egg floors had increased b/ 300,000 dozen over the figure for the same period of 1948. Mr W. Sullivan (Bay of Pienty) asked the Commissioner of State Fore3*i,s to state what progress had been made with the establishment of the Murapapa newsprint and pulping scheme and has the Minister entered into an agreement with the Bust Engineering Company to provide plant and do other work associated with the project. In a note to the question, Mr Sullivan said the property owners and residents of the area wefe vitally interested and some were coneerned as to their futu-re farming op erations.