QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT

Grey River Argus, 8 September 1948, Page 4

QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT

Hold Up Of Australian Wheat? P.A. WELLINGTON, Sept. 7. In the House of Representatives today, Mr D. C. Kidd (Nat., Waimate) gave notice to ask the Minister of Agriculture: Whether the Government will consider urgently the withholding of any further sales of Australian wheat in New Zealand, as recent samples have been found to contain saffron thistle, a noxious weed, reputedly more dangerous to farm lands than Californian thistle? Mr Kidd also asked for an assurance that further shipments of Australian wheat would be free of this unwanted seed. CUT IN TAXES AND SUBSIDIES? Mr A. S. Sutherland (Nat.. Hauraki) gave notice to ask the Minister of Finance: Wheather in view of the Government’s action in reducing the exchange rate to par with sterling, it was now prepared to reduce taxation and other charges „ for Government services immediately? He also asked: Wheather consumer subsidies made at the expense of primary producers from proceeds of sales of hides, pelts, tallow, etc., used locally, would be terminated forthwith? SECRET TREATIES? Dr A. M. Finlay (Govt., North Shore) gave notice to. ask the Frime Minister: Whether he would confirm the recent statement of Rt. Hon. J. E. Chifley, Australian Prime Minister, that no Labour Government was a party to any secret war-time conference at which spheres of influence were agreed to, and other concessions made?-' Dr Finlay asked the Prime Minister to inform the House if New Zealand’s interests had been adversely affected by these secret and apparently binding agreements. GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY SUGGESTED Mr T. L. Macdonald (Nat., Wallace) gave notice of the following question to the Minister of Finance: Whether there will be an early announcement of the Government’s policy toward the gold mining industry? He asked: Was any subsidy for this industry contemplated on a yardage basis, or on ore or gravel treated, or by payment of a purchase price by the Reserve Bank above the world parity price for gold?