Ministers Answer Members' Questions

Chronicle (Levin), 18 August 1949, Page 3

Ministers Answer Members' Questions

WELLINGTON, August 17. Ministerial replies to questions were cireulated and disenssed in tlie House today. Mr. Fraser, answering Mr. J. A. Eoy (Glutlia), said that in vieiv of the unusually high percentage of informali votes at the ree.ent Ashburton, Geraldine and King Cquntry speeial licensing polls, the form of voting paper for future loeal option polls in nolieerice distriets, was being carefully examined as was the question of adopting separate ^oting papers for the two issues of local restoration and . trust control. "The reply of the Prime Minister is svmpathetic," said Mr. Broadfoot (Waitomo), diseussing the answer. He Suggested that in any future poll on the question in the King Conntry there should be one eombined vote of both European and Maori people. "The King Country has ceased to become a home for the Maori," he said, "and is now a heavily Europeanised area. " Mr. Nash, answering Mr. J. R. Hanan (Invercargill), said the Government would facilitate inquiries from any investors in the United Rtates or Britain about the nse of hydro-electrie resources in the South Island and would consider sending experts to those countries on any oecasion when sueh a visit appeaTed likely to produce beneficial results. Mr. Nash, answering another question by Mr. Hanan abont a guarantee for any Ameriean capital which might be invested in approved new industries in New Zealand, said Governments in New Zealand had not made a practice of guaranteeing speeial protection to overseas capital. New Zealand had a very high reputation for its fmancial integrity and a number of overseas organisations and eompanies had substantial capital invested in production plants. None of these investors had at any time considered it necessary to obtain guarantees for their capital and it was not proposed to change the present poliey in any way. Mr. Nash, answering Mr. C. M. Bowden (Karori), said there was no reason to suppose there would be any Veduetion in the quantities of basic slag available in the eoming season. Our main souree of supply was Belgium and we had received a very fair allocation from that sonrce. Mr. Nash said he had no knowledge of anv reduction in the allocation from Britain. Waterpipe Supplies Mr. Nordmeyer, answering Mr. S. W. Smith (Hobson), said that as it had not been possible to obtain from the United. Kingdom and Australia our full requirements of 'waterpiping9 licences were tecently granted on the United States. These additional supplies were being expeeted shortly. France and Japan might also be able to assist. If adequate supplies from these sourees were not obtainable, a further dollar import would be considered. Mr. Smith said he hoped the Minister would see to it that farmers received considerable preference when the supply of waterpiping improved. Mr. W. S. Broadfoot (Waitomo), said that production in his electorate was being hampered by inadequate supplies of waterpiping, and Mr. P. Kearins (Waimarino) said that in the Eeparoa area where water reticulation was a great difficultv, production could be trebled if the necessary supplies of waterpiping were made available. It was impossible to cut up land for settlement by ex-servicemen nnless the necessary piping could be obtained. Stock losses that farmers had suflfered through an inadequate water supply had been "absolutely awful, " and he asked that the Government make an effort to improve the situation. Mr. McLagan, answering Mr. W. A. Sheat (Patea), said the Government 's stabilisation policy in regard to land was based on values as at 1942 and there was no present intention of altering this. ■