THE WOOL MARKET

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 303, 16 September 1920, Page 6

THE WOOL MARKET

MR. MASSEY WILL MAKE STATEMENT. Anxiety regarding the disposal of the sew season's wool prompted a question which Mr. G. W: Forbes (Hurunui) put to the Primo Minister in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. He asked if the Prime Minister could sav what arrangement had been made regarding wool, and if a committee had been set up to see that the wool from this season's clip was handled to the bent advantage The market was in a very unsettled condition, and'the growers were anxious to know that everything possible was being done to prevent a slump. Mr. Massey said that he could only tell Mr. Forbes what he probably n!-.-| ready knew, that at the last gathering of woolgrowers a committee was set up to watch matters in connection with tho coming clip. He had prepared an official statement, which ho would j[ive to tho House possibly to-morrow, giving all details. STILL FDUToFeLOQI/ENCE LEASEHOLDERS "TALK OUT" THE AROHA BILL AGAIN. It was not a difficult task for the champions of the leasehold tenure to "talk out" once moro the report of tho -Lands Committee ori the Te Aroha Crown Leases Bill, when the interrupted debate on the motion to table the report was resumed late yesterday afternoon. Mr. M. J. Savage (Auckland West) was the first speaker. ' His stock of arguments, consisting chiefly of expressions of fear for the safety of national endowmentland, held out, with careful management, for a quarter of an hour. This left Mr, L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North) with about eight minutes' talking to do. Ho 6poke to the proposal to refer the report back to the committee, and at 5.30—th0 fatal moment for the • motion—he still seemed full of eloquence. FREIGHTTONEW ORLEANS INQUIRIES TO BE MADE. The Minister of Agriculture was asked by Mr. R. P. Hudson (Motueka) yesterday if he could give any information regarding the possibility of direct freights between New Zealand and New Orleans. Mr. Hudson understood that steamers from New Zealand going via Panama were calling at Jamaica, and there was a direct steamer service between Jamaica and New Orleans. He suggested to the Minister that it would be a good thing for New Zealand if advantage could be taken of this opportunity of opening up new markets. Mr. Nosworthy said, in replv. that this was tho fitst that he had hoard of a shipping, service between Jamaica and New Orleans. He< would .have inquiries made to see if it was possible tovonen up business in this way. If ho could be given niiy further information on the matter he would be pleased to have it. ROTORuA-MJPO RAILWAY PETITIONS A FAVOURABLE REPORT. The "M to 7" Petitions Committee yesterday recommended to the favourable consideration of the Government petitions asking for the construction of a railway from Rotcnta to Taupe ait. F. F. Hockly (Uslorua), in expressing appreciation of the report, said he believed that the railway would pay well. It would provide tourists with a convenient moans of making a magnificent round trip, and would afford an excellent opportunity for the development of tho pumice lands.. Several other members spoke very confidently of the prospects of converting the pumice, lands . into highly-productive country. The Hon. A. T. Ngata (Eastern Maori) said that the line would be essentially a pioneer one. as tho settlement along the proposed route was at present very sparse. It was not difficult, however, to foresee tho day wen smiling -homesteads would stand nlongsido the whole of the lino. Mr. J. M'C. Dickson (chairman of tho committee) said that the committee was unanimous in recommending the petitions for favourable consideration. Tho report' was laid' on the tabic. legislative Council act, 1914 HOSTILE RESOLUTION PROPOSED. When the Legislative Council Amend-" ment Bill was last mentioned in the Uppor House, Sir Francis Bell suggested that any members who desired to voice an opinion contrary to the intentions of the Government as expressed in tho Bill and in the principal Act should do so by way of resolution,' as the Government would not move the third reading of an amendment hostile to the purpose of the Act. The Act provides that the Council shall be elected by tho people and not appointed by the Government. The Hon. J. B. Gow yesterday gave notice that to-<lay he would move the following motion :-"That in the opinion of this Council it would bo against the public interest to allow the Legislative Council Act, 1914, to be brought into operation, thereby making a, drastic change in the Constitution of the Dominion at a time when there are many urgent politicnl and social problems pressing for solution; and that the Government bo urged to take steps to have legislation passed .this session to give effect to this resolution." NEW MORNINGTON SCHOOL TWO SECTIONS SECURED. Mr. R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) asked the Minister, of Education in the House yesterday whether the Department had taken any steps for tho purchase of a site for a new school at Morninzton. 'Mr. Parr roplicd that tho position nt Mornington was this. Ho admitted the necessity for a new school there, fhero was over-crowding which could only be relieved by building a new school. I hero had been trouble, in obtaining a site. It was intended to take tho .necessary land under llto Public Works Act, nnd this had l>oen the cause of some delay. A satisfactory arrangement had been concluded, however, by which it would not b3 necessary to exerciso the compulsory powers. Two suitable sections had been secured, and the Government had made tho necessary grants for them. He trusted that it would not be long beforo the ovor-crowding at the other schools would be relieved by the provision of a new building.