STATE ADVANCES

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2227, 13 August 1914, Page 6

STATE ADVANCES

POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT. Anxiety is said to exist as to whether tho Stato .will-continue, in the- present crisis, to advance moneys -under tho various lending schemes'of the Government, and yesterday'in tho House of Representatives MrJ,C. A'i Wilkinson-asked the Minister to, make a statement of the Government policy in tho matter, especially in regard to those public bodies who had , gone some distance in the matter of pnbhc works. " ~ , ' The Hon. J. Allen said the matter had. not been considered by the Cabinet, but tho work of the Advances Office had.been postponed from day to day since last Monday, week. The Government were prepared to meet all the liabilities they had made, but a letter had been sent, out to local bodies asking them to. postpone borrowing from tho-Government for uejv works if they could .conveniently', do so." With regard to. Advances to-Settlers they had not been giving any. advances' since Monday week, but he proposed; to submit proposals very soon. yitti-.jregarcl to the Advances Department'. The. Government wero not suggesting .that public bodies should stop all -works. On the contrary, the Government would do all in. their power to keep men in employment, .but he .would suggest that the local bodies ought to be patient. Commitments with regard to advances to settlers and , advances to workers would: be oarried out, and no circular had been, sent out regarding these''advances. EXPORT OF OATS , ■ PLENTY IN NEW ZEALAND.. .'. The , Hon. D. Buddo mentioned: in the House last night that 'there were many inquiries being 'made, asking for particulars with regard, to the prohibition to export- certain produce commodities. He wanted to know what proclamations had been ■ issued in connection with the Bill passed. He - suggested, that steps should bo taken to have the proclamations posted up at the various ports. ■ ,-';■... Mr. T. H. Davey suggested, that .the Government, , or Defence Department, should deal direct with. the faimers, ■ instead of calling for coutracts, when.purchasing . oats. He understood that an attempt was.being made to create'a corner in oafc. . ' ':.''. ■ ' .. ■ In reply, Mr. Massey said thatr-.the utmost publicity would be given to the proclamation regarding the prohibition of exports.. He hoped, within the next .few day's; 'to'modify 'the proclamation: with regard-to tlio export or oats. , '•Aβ far as. his information went, there .'were jnore oats in Now Zealand thari would-be required for their own purposes untilneit harvest. If so, there would,be no necessity to stop export. With regard .to the other' matter, I'O said that they were oalling for--tenders for oats, and'it-;was their duty, taking quality,'into cbnsider'aition, to take tho lowest .tender;'of course, they (lid-not accept the-lowest tender if the quality was not right; ..V-:.: , . .""! . ..■Mγ. Davey: Could you, not, .fa',-prices, and let, the farmers send samples P. ••. ■■■' . Mr. Massey: I do not think, on this occasion, 'that largo quantities will' be required as was the ease in tho days of-the feouth African War.. They required sufficient while, the horses were in New Zenland and on board ship, .When they got to ■t'ke-;:otlier-end.a different arrangement would bo made, lie expected a proclamation would-be issued exempting,' from' prohibition to export, to a-cer-tain extent, oats, bruised beans, and peas. That -would only apply to export to British ports. They did riot wish to infers .fere'■unnecessarily with trade.' '. ■ ,-