Members' Questions Answered

Chronicle (Levin), 21 July 1949, Page 4

Members' Questions Answered

WIDE VARIETY OF TOPICS COVERED

WELLINGTON, July 20, Sixty-one 'Ministerial replies to questions were tabled in the House of Re presentatives this af ternoon. "The anwer is in the negative, " said the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, when answering Mr W. H. Fortune (Eden) who had asked if a royal commission would be set up to inquire into the New Zealand Press, Mr Fortune said he welcomed the Prime Minister 's' answer. He believed New Zealand 's Press was second to none and he had asked the questiou only because he was confident the Prime Minister would declare there was no need for a Press inquiry in New Zealand. PaciSc Pact Mr Fraser, answering Mr E. P. Aderman (New Plymouth) said the Government would continue to give the closest attention to the question of a Paeifie Pact. Mr Fraser recalled his statement "in Ottawa last January that ifthe need arose, he believed the democratie nations in the Paeifie would stand together, developing a pact similar to the Atlantic Pact. As indicated in the Speeeh from the Throne, there existed between New Zealand and the principal parties to the North Atlantic Treaty a real affinity and community of interests similar to that between the parties to the North Atlantic Treaty itself. New Zealand 's' cooperation on defence problems with the United Kingdom and Australia, was an important beginning in promoting security arrangements in the Paeifie and these would be extended with other demoeratic countries as circumstances permitted. "An essential element of an adequate security arrangement is that each country will make the fullest provision to meet its owu and the common interests and this New Zealand is endeavouring to do," he said.' "The Prime Minister 's reply generally is a good one," said Mr Aderman and he urged Mr Fraser to press for a Paeifie Pact. "It is better to preparo early than to prepare when the foe is already prepared, " he said. Mr Semple, answering Mr W. Sulli van (Bay of Plenty) said it was ex pected that the first unit at Maraetai would come into operation by the end of 1951 and the other four units would come into operation progressively there after.

Mr Jones, answering Mr Fortune, said he was not aware of any Communists having been appointed as Justice*. of the Peace. All nomipations for appointment were carefully considered and full inquiries -were made by the police as to a nominee's suitability. Mr Fortune said that in 1946 a man named A. P. Quinn, of Petone, was appointed a Justice of the Peace. He worked at the railway workshops and was well known as a Comrounist. "Was he recommended by the local tradea council? Was his appointment screened?" asked Mr Fortune, "Last night t was in the Town Hail; Auckland, -mnd' heard one of the most disgraceful things I have heard in my life. These people would not let the Prime Minister be heard. Are they to be appointed Justices of the Peace?" asked Mr Fortune Mr. Jones, answering Mrs. Ross (Hamilton), said the Government did not intend to introduce legislation giving Judges discretionary power to order the flogging of persons* "who commiti rape or who indecently assault girls under 15 years of age. Mr. McLagan, answering Mrs. Ross, said there was an agreement between all parties, including the unions concerned, that the substantial number of volunteer firemen should not be' required to join the Fire Brigade Employees' Union. As yet no agreement liad been reaehed as to the line of demareation between volunteers who wrould not be required to join the union and part-time firemen who, because of their emoluments, should join. A settlement satisfactorv to all could be hoped for. The Government would not compel volunteers who were giving useful community service and who might • receive .clothing or a sniall allowanee, to become union members.

Identification of Accused. hlr. Fraser, answering Mr. T. E. Skinner (Tamaki) who had drawn attention to a reported eriticism by the Chief Justice of the method used by the Auckland police in arranging an identification parade for two men suspeeted of committing an offence, and who asked that steps be taken to prevent a repetition, gave a detailed account of the incident. Mr. Fraser said a taxidriver was assaulted and robbed by two men who had engaged him. He. reaehed the police station in obvious need of medical attention. Soon after the ofience was reported, a police officer saw two men answering the description of the offenders, crossing Grafton Bridge. Being dissatisfied with their explanations, he took them to the police station where they were told an identification parade would be arranged. Both men absolutely refused to take part in any such parade. Because of the lateness of the hour, only one or two eivilians could be brought together

but a number of r-onstables in plain clothes wei'e available, These, with the;. one or two eivilians, w&re seated in the detective offi.ee where the two suspects were. When complainant entered he at once identified the suspects as the men who had assaulted and robbqd him. " If tlie suspects had consented to take part in a proper identification parade,. one would have been arranged in accordance with established practice but owing to their refusal and the necessity to take complainant to the fiospital for treatment, tlie matter could not be deferred, " said Mr. Fraser. Mr. M. Moolian (Petone), diseussing the Prime Minister 's reply, said that J Cjveryone in New Zealand was entitled to a fair deal and in view of the cir--cumstances, he thought that the two men were given as tair a chance as possible. He eongratulated the police on their quickness in apprehending them. Mr. Fraser, answering Mr. G, H. Mackl.ey (Wairarapa), said the appointments of Mr. B. Roberts, a former member of Parliament, to the Reserve Bank directorate and Mr. G, Hansen, a twice defeated Labour candidate, to the Dairy Board, were excellent appointments. "The Government wifl continue to exercise its judgment and prerogative on such matters, " said Mr. ifraser. Mr Nordmeyer, answering Dr. A. M. Finlay (North Shore) said fines imposfd by a Court on bookmakers were not allowed as deductible expenditure ^ foi income tax purposes. No person fiued for a breaeh of the law could claim the amount of a fine as a deduction from bis assessahle income' for taxation pur* poses. Mr Nordmeyer, answering Mr For. tune, said the Commissioner of Taxes had power to require any person to supp'ly information considered neeessary for the administration and enforcement of the tax laws and it would not be practicable to restrict demands for 111forniajion to cases where false returns of income were suspected. Other information was frequently required to ensure the enforcement of the law. ^ Mr Nordmeyer answering Mr W. S. Goosman (Piako) said the Government did not act on a minority report of the Fresh Meat Supplies Commission. Both reporti were valuable. The evidenee did not justify - the sweeping claim that the wholesale price order had broken downThe cost of the commission was £910 ,1s 3d.

The Dundalk Bay Mr McLagan,' answering Mr M. H. Oram (Manawatu) said that from inquiries made, it appeared that the aecommodation, food and attention to immigrants on the Dundalk Bay which recently reaehed Wellington from Triestc, were inadequate. In spite of this unsatisfactory situation, the general conduct and bearing of the new settlers was very good. There was no evidenee of undesirable personal habits on the part of- any of the settlers. The Government had been told by the InternationS Refugee Orgahimtfcm- that good transport facilities would be available and the unsatisfaetory conditions disclosed on the Dundalk Bay were the subject of representation by the Gov | ernment to.I.R.O. headquarters, Geneva. Mr McLagan said that had the Government known of the conditions before the ship sailed, it would have had only one reinedy — to say the ship w'as 'not suitable and that it would not accept displaced persons until better aecommodation was found for them. The question would not arise again for some time because no arrangements had been made to take further groups of displaced persons. Until the recent afrivals had been assimilated and placed in emplovment, no consideration would be given to bringing out further groups. Mr Hackett, answering Mr T. E. Skinner, said the decision not to issue a special Einpire Games series of stamps, could not be reconsidered. Mr Cullen, answering Mr A. S. Sutherland (Hauraki) said that for the year ended May 31, pig killings totalled 677, 762, an increase of 30,S30 compared with the year ended May 31, 1948. As the pig industry was so closely assoeiated with dairying, these figures were a more accurate statement of the position than figures for the year ended March 31 which showed a decline as againsl thd corresponding year ending March 31, 194S. The hlinister said, however, that he was anxious to do everything posBible to assist in the development of the pig industry.