M.P.'s Queries,

Horowhenua Chronicle, 15 September 1911, Page 2

M.P.'s Queries,

AND CABINET MINISTER'S ANSWERS. AN INTISRESTING RANGE. . - (Culled from Parliament's Order Paper). AN IMMIGRATION MATTER, Mr Wright to ask the Prime- Minister Whether his atten tion bias been directed to a statement issued _by the High Commissioner for New Zealand, and published in the minster Gazette of 22-nd July last; and if so, if the statement is ofncialH It is as follows: "Them is a great scarcity of efficient farm labour in this dominion, and domestic servants are as difficult to pnicure as nuggets of gold. It is a standing complaint among farmers that whenever any busy time comes efficient labour labour cannot be obtained for it. A first-class ploughman an efficient stacker, or a. man trained in all the technique of the. farm is exceedingly difficult tc> T procure, a.nd is sent Home for. Wo require to import apprentices; they are not to be had. With that object in view we require to import ploughmen and capable farm hands mix-ions to become settlors, so that production may not be handicapped ; and we require tn import servant girls to ~ave their .mistresses and farniers wives from the effects of overwork, "and give the dairy i ministry a chance. We want population to eat up some of the beef ami mutton and lamb that at present has to be sent to Great Britain. We- want the money' newcomers hrino- with them and circulate. We want settlers v-ho will build houses, buy furniture, blankets, clothes, and provisions—all of these require labour to produce and help to pay the interest on our inflated dv.bt. which is amounting rapidly. We r.perl another million people' in the eilie> and two million on the land. We should welco.»classes of a.ancultural servants ami pettier* Thev are badly needed, nnd if the millions mentioned were here to-morrow there would 'be ample work and employment for nil." Rnilv. - This h"s already been replied to very fully. I nifever slate that the par,'igraph in nurstior. was published in the Otago Witness in Du.nedin. on the 10fc.1i May last. It appeared in the West-" ninster Gazette of the 22nd July, but its pubh'catm"! therein was not authorised bv the "FFicrli Cn>mmissionrr for New Zealand, whose replv to that effec.i-. 1 have .ilre'ulv pV'cd before the Horse. T mav add fiat the policy of the, Government regarding 'assisted, immigrants has not ibeen departed from! In the total number w-as 2.187, and for the first 1 six months of the present year 1,100. the whole of which information was laid upon the table of the House priror to the publication of the article in a local newspaper.

LAKE PAPA I TONGA. Mr Field to ask the Minister of l.andss, What is the present position of tilic negotiations for the purclmse by the State of the late Sir Walter l{iillej , '.s unique and charming property at La.ko Papaitonga Reply.—The question of title is now under consideration by tho Crown Law Office- prior to the final, decision being arrived at I\\ the Go-v----erniinent. COUNTING OF VOTES. M.r Taylor to ask the Prime Minister, Whetheir the re-vised method of couintiivg .the candidates' votes according to the Legislature Amendment Act, 1910, section 49. also-ap-plies to the counting of votes cast on. the 'Licensing question l3 Reply.—The procedure sot out in section' 49 of the Le-rislature Ainewtl'lnent Ac-t. 1910, for counting tlve candidates' votes applies also to the counting- of -iilie- votes in respect of the licensing poll. NEW-ZEALAND CEMENT. Mr Stall worthy to ask the Prime Minister. Whether he will, in the eveint of reciprocal tariff negotiations being opened up with Australia, endeavour to arrange tlwvt Now Zealand manufactured, cement lie admitted free into that country? Reply. — Vc-s. hi the event of iiegotiations being opened, nip, I "shall be glad to represent the matter 'on the lines indicated by tho honourable gentleman. LOANS ON , FARM PROPKRTIES. Mr Hogg (o ask the Prime Mi:nis- ' ier, Wilu't'jicr he is aware thot the Advances to Settlers Department is j'efuisino to advance further loans on ia.rm properties trv settlers unless they liring their loans under the twenty-years term of repayment? (Note.—This seriously ino oases their instalments, and the condition is found most vexatious.) Reply.—The Government does-ii-ot refuse to make further .advances unless loans are brought under the twenty-years term of repayment, but ail loa.ns have now to bo granted on one or other of the three terms — namely, 20, 30, or 30$ years, a.s provided by the State-guaranteed Ad vanci'S Amendm en t iin provements offered -as security for tho loan, or tJie applicant's interest therein, and the fact that an -ap.plicamt is a farmer or requires a further loan has no bear-ing whatever on tho matter.

DUTIES ON FOOD. Mir Hogg to a,sk the Government, Whether, in view of the opinions, expressed on the second reading of the Abolition of Duties on Food Bill, tl'oy will give members an opportunity of concluding -fcho debate? Reply.—lt depends upon tli.e progress of the. business. The request , .will be duly considere>4 should a .suitable, opportunity present itself. MAORI COIIXCILS AXD THE DOG TAX. Mr Field: to ask the Xntive Minis-.! t-cr, Whether he. is not satisfied that the entrusting Maori Marao. Cofnnbils with the collection f>f the ; dog-tax has provo.fi in ,inn.uy case.? .most; lini !itisfncto!->' fiiul disastrous to slioepf.'ir.iners, and if lip will without-de-lay give effect to the rcpcnterT requestsof lf.r:al b'c.difHs nnd ir.rlivitliu&l favtno'Vs 'by introrlucing a .mjeflisaw-o to vr stoiT- to- local bn'lie« the collection of the tnx in fiuesti;;!', ? . - " Tlenly.—T am not -nv.T.re tint the position is as stntcrl. Int t!ir> matter will receive full vonsidsration. MAORIS AND AM.MIIXITTOX , . Dr. To "Rnnfrilri.nca. to ask the Gor-p'-nment 'Whether thov wil- remove l-est-r'ctions the simniv of anrnunit'on t-T Maoris fln.fl tihus treit them in the san*? way- ?s other

inhabitants of the dominion (Note. — The conditions whiuh may havo rendered'sucsli restrictions necessary have passed away for over, and tho Me«Q-is, as loyaL," British subjects, are not only put to considerable- inconvenience in obtaining ammunition daring the shooting season, but consider such restrictions .1 reflection upon their loyalty.) Reply.— l shall have inquiries made and ascertain whether there is now any further 'necessity for this restriction.

WEST COAST LEASES. ilr Okey to ask the Native Minister, Whether it is his intension durin.fr this session of Parliament to bringdown legislation which will empower holders of leasts under the Wast Coast Settlement Reserves Act who (lid not take n:lvanta.<ie of the opportunity to come under the amended Act of 1892 to extend their leases on terms that will Ue equable both to th>e Natives and the present lessees? ~ Note.—Many of these leases will fall in during the next two or three years, and tho holders are anxious to know what steps are hetn.' taken to put the.ni on a permanent footing- Tt is most important in the interests of tin. Natives, the lesiers, and-the-district ceuenillv tliat this matter should bo dealt with without further delay.) ■Reply.—Tho matter is under conrideration by the Government.