DAMAGED ISLAND FRUIT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20032, 2 September 1939, Page 7

DAMAGED ISLAND FRUIT

SHIPMENTS TO DOMINION

REFUGEE IM MIGRATION

DERATE ON ESTIMATES

(Ter Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day

Urgency was accorded 15 classes of the estimates in the House of Representatives to-day on the motion of the deputy-Lender of the House, the Hon. P. Fraser, who explained that it would not be necessary for the House to sit later than usual, but the granting of urgency would tend to expedite the passing of as many sections as possible. The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, expressed pleasure at learning of the Prime Minister's improved health and the fact that he was able to return to his home. He asked what had happened to the .Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone, as they seemed to have lost him. Mr. Fraser replied that Mr. Langstone was at present on board the Dominion Monarch and would be back within a week. Maui Pomarc's Shipments The vote of .£26,000 for the Prime Minister's Department was passed witli little discussion, and the House next considered the Department of External Affairs estimate of £214,722. Discussing the latter vote, Mr. Broadfoot complained of the condition in which bananas from Samoa arrived in New Zealand, stating that the fruit was often bruised. He suggested it would be better lo ship them in bunches, rather than in cases as at present. The acting-Minister of External Affairs, the Hon. 11. G. R. Mason, said it had been found from experience that the easing of fruit ensured its arrival in better condition than otherwise. Mr. A. S. Richards (Lab.. Roskill) contended that it was not the casing of bananas which was responsible for their condition, but the unsuitability of the Maui Pomare for the carriage of fruit which was the cause" of the trouble.

Replying to a suggestion by the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes (Nat., Ilurunui) that the Maui Pomare was not suitable for the islands' fruit trade, Mr. Mason said that while not altogether suitable, she landed her cargoes in good shape generally, and it would not be economical to scrap her.

Mr. Richards: It might be cheaper in the long run.

The vote was passed. Selection of Migrants

On the Customs Department vote of £174,958 Mr. W. J. Poison (Nat., Stratford) referred to the admission to the country of European refugees, stating lie had been informed on reliable authority that some of the refugees being sent to New Zealand by the International Refugee Commission would not make desirable citizens, and he asked the actingMinister of Customs, Mr. Mason, if lie would tell the house how such immigrants were admitted and whether they were of a desirable type or not. Mr. Mason, replying, said that particulars regarding each migrant, including photographs, were sent to New Zealand and the Minister of Customs investigated each case separately and the Minister himself made the final selection. Regarding the suggestion that the type of Jew coming to New Zealand was not satisfactory, the Minister said he knew what great care had been taken, and he had also the total figures of the number admitted to New Zealand. In view of these circumstances, he felt quite certain that if any people had ;been admitted to the country who might be regretted, the number would be very small indeed. The Government’s'policy with regard to immigration had been to consider the capacity of the migrant to adapt himself to our economy and his relationship to ourselves as far as racial characteristics were concerned. The vote was passed, as was the Stamp Duties Department vote of £103,000. Discussing the Justice and Prisons Department estimates of £303,000, Dr. D. G. McMillan (Lab.. Dunedin West) urged that the “bread and water” diet be abolished from prisons. The vote was still being discussed when the House adjourned for lunch at 1 p.m.