MEMBERS’ QUERIES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20002, 29 July 1939, Page 7

MEMBERS’ QUERIES

MINISTERIAL ANSWERS DEFENCE FORCE STRENGTH TRADE WITH FRANCE SECURITY ACT ANOMALIES

(I’«r Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Ministerial replies to questions asked by members during the session were given in the House of Representatives to-day

Answering a question by Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (ind., Egmont) whether the Government was aware that Australian manufacturers of steel, wire netting, fencing wire and galvanised iron had placed an embargo on shipments to New Zealand until such commodities were paid for in New Zealand currency, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, in a written reply, stated that the matter was at present being investigated by the Government

In another answer to a question by Mr. S. G. Holland (Nat., Christchurch) referring to the Lee letter, in which he asked if it were the intention of the Government to issue a reply to the attacks made in the letter on the Minister of Finance, tire Hon. W. Nash, and whether, if such reply were made over the broadcasting service, Mr. J. A. Lee would be given the same right of reply, Mr. Savage said the answer to both questions was in the negative. An intimation that the question of trade between France and New Zealand was at present the subject of negotiations between the two Governments, with a view to the conclusion of a mutually satisfactory agreement, was made by Mr. Savage, replying to a question by the Hon. J. G. Cobbe (Nat., Manawatu), who drew attention to the .statement that French woolbuyers were considering boycotting New Zealand wool in view of the Dominion import restrictions. Racing- Commission

“An announcement regarding the Racing Commission will be made in due course,” said the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, replying to a question by Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Nat., Riccarton), who had asked whether the Government intended to set up a racing commission as promised to the racing clubs. The question of the appointment of Mr. C. L. Hunter, an ex-member of Parliament, to a position in the Department of Labour, was referred to by the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, replying to a question by Mr. S. G. Holland as to whether the Government intended to validate such appointment. The Minister replied that Mr. Hunter was appointed to a position in the Department of Labour for which he was well fitted and had been eminently successful during the time he was so employed. Subsequent to his appointment, it was found that the provisions of the Electoral Act prevented his continuing in service and the -appointment was terminated. Steps would be taken to overcome any informality that may have occurred. The Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, replying to a question whether Major-General Mackesey’s report would be published, said that as the report was of. a secret and confidential nature, it would not be in the public interest to publish it. Territorial Forces Mr. Jones also explained the reason why it had been decided to fix the territorial establishment in New Zealand- at 16,000 .in answer to another question. In fixing the force- at this- number, he said, the Government was guided by the conclusions of the recent Pacific conference, which envisaged a certain scale of attack. The force of 16,000 was intended to be the nucleus which would be expanded in an emergency to such dimensions as would deal with any situation likely to arise.

The State Advances Corporation’s policy in connection with making advances to farmers.on rural securities was dealt with by the Prime Minister in a written reply to a question by Mr. D. C. Kidd (Nat., Waitaki). Mr. Savage said the corporation was making loans to its mortgagors on rural holdings for .necessary improvements, but preference was being, given to loans for housing, including housing on eligible rural properties. Replying to a question by Mr. \V. J. Broadfoot (Nat., Waitomo) as to whether it was intended to take steps to provide for proper discipline among the inmates of the Weraroa Boys’ Training Farm, the (Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser, said it was intended to transform the training farm into a school, providing a wide range of cultural, technical and. occupational training, including agriculture, for the boys there. New buildings had been planned for Weraroa and they would enable the whole policy of the institution to be changed in the future in conformity with enlightened practice. The Minister also stated that it was proposed to confer with the local representative in the House and citizens of Levin before tenders; were called for the new buildings. Defence Forces’ Equipment

Negotiations l regarding the contracts for equipping the territorial forces with boots and clothing, were dealt with by the Minister of Defence, th» Hon. F. Jones, answering a question by Mr. J. N. Grigg (Nat., MidCanterbury). The Minister stated that these .negotiations were actually taking place with the manufacturers at present and it was expected that the contracts would be arranged almost immediately. Mr. Jones, a.s Postmaster-General, also replied to a question by Mr. T. D. Burnett (Nat., Temuka) who asked for a reduction of rentals for farmers in isolated districts.

The Minister said it had never been contemplated that the concessions granted in past years as a measure of temporary assistance to subscribers on party lines in rural .areas should be permanent, but cases of genuine hardship would be considered with a View to their relief. "It i.s recognised that there is some justification for exemption from liability in "respect of sick benefit payments received by members of the Government railways and numerous other sick benefit societies,” said the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, in a written reply to a question dealing with this subject by Mr. S. G. Holland.

Mr. Savage added that the matter was at present under consideration, with a view to rectification, along

with other anomalies arising out of certain provisions of the Social Security Act. Dealing with a question by Dr. D. G. McMillan (Lab., Dunedin West), whether the Government would investigate and determine whether the high price of potatoes was due to middle men’s cxecessive profits, the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, said the Government was closely watching the position and the possibility of reducing potato prices would be fully considered as soon as all the available facts were obtained. "The matter of oflicial guests for tiie eentertnial celebrations is at present under consideration by the Government, but it is not correst that 500 people are being ollicially brought to New Zealand by .the Government,” said the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Parry, replying to a question by Mr. J. I-lodgens (Lab., Palmerston), whether the report were correct that this number would visit the Dominion during the celebrations as the Government's guests. The House adjourned at 1.0 p.m.