IN PARLIAMENT.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 25 October 1913, Page 2

IN PARLIAMENT.

Questions By Members AND MINISTERS' REPLIES. In the House of Representatives the following- answers and questions were asked anil given last week J3U I'lElt. Mr Ukey 1o ask tlie Minister oi Agriculture, Whether las atteiitiou lias been called to the way New Zealand butler is being adulterated or loaded with water in Vancouver; and whether, witJi a view oi stopping this adulteration, he will tuKo steps to bring this matter before the interested authorities %J . (Note.—-The matter was brought before a meeting' of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, ""where it was shown by a statement; in a Yaucouver paper :hat New Zealand butter had been treated there by machinery until it was made to hold 28 per cent, oi water. it was also shown that ihe output of one linn of adulterated or loaded butter was from to 15001b per day. The Hon. Air Massey replied, Reports regarding the practice \vliich seems to have* obtained in Canada of adding water to New Zealand butter having reached the (Government, its agent in Vancouver was authorised in

March last lo obi ain legal advice an. In lake proceedings if circumstances warranted. Jn the meanliiiHl, however, the Canadian Government brought two prosecutions and fines were inflicted on the offenders. The New Zealand sigent was thereupon instructed to keep th'e matter in view, and to proseeule if a case could be obtained. The Canadian Government is now being- asked not to allow its officers to relax their vigilance. HONEY. -Mr Young to ask the Minister of-Lands, Whether, in view of MTowth of the honey-produc-ing industry in New Zealand, and will) the object of encouraging its further development, he will give specific instructions that, in the sub-division of lands for selection ill suitable country, provision be made for bee-farms, of an area of, say, 10 acres, at a distance of not less than two and a half to three miles apart and near permanent water:' (Note. —Competent authorities state that from one to one mile and a half contitutes a practical working radius for the bees in an apiary, • and suggest !hnl selectors should have the option of taking up three 1.0-aere sections, as this number is considered suitable for one apiarist lo make a fair living from). The Hon. Mr Massey replied, Instructions have been given to the Chief Surveyors that when land is being cut up for settlement they are to confer with an officer of the Department of Agrieulture for the purpose of ascertaining whether suitable areas can be provided for bee-farms. LOTTEDIES. The Hon. Mr Millar to ask the Prune Minister, "Whether he will this session bring in legislation to exempt building societies from the operation of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, as under the present law every officer of those societies taking part in any ballot for loans is liable lo a heavy penalty: 1 The lion. Mr Massey replied, The Government has not been made aware of the difficulty referred to, but will consult the Law Officers of the Crown on the subject, and if it hi l found necessary will introduce legislation for the •purpose. PBEMICM B(7.\DS. Mr Payne to ask the Prime Minister, Whether he will this .session introduce a Hill which shall make it compulsory for the company which has been selling premium bonds illegally to refund all the cash paid for the bonds (Note. In the opinion of the member for Grey Lyniu the proper way to relieve the premium bond holders is to compel (he company who sold the bonds illegally to refund all cash paid by the buyers of the bonds, who were induced to buy the bonds mainly on the representation by the company that the bonds would be freely negotiable). The Hon. Mr Massey replied, It does not appear that such legislation is necessary, as every purchaser of premium bonds who objects to the bargain lie has made lists his remedy open to him. LICENSING. Mr Hunan to ask the Prime Minister, Why the Government is delaying sit this late stage of the session the introduction of an amending Bill dealing with the licensing laws, and has given priority of consideration to several measures of minor public importance and interest? The Hon. Mr Massey replied, The Government has arranged its programme so as to expedite business and suit the convenience of Parliament and the public. Tin; measures referred by the honourable member as having been given priority are measures of much public interest and importance. TMAC HE US' EXAMINATION'S Mi- Eseott to ask the Minister of Education, Whether he will abolish the entrance fee of • £1 which candidates sifting for Teachers' examination are charged, thus

. bringing the teaching profession into line with the Civil Service •f % camlidute for which are not required to pay an entrance fee? (Note.- In view of the number of uncertificated teachers in the dominion, it is desirable that every encouragement should be g'ivon to them to sit for and gain certificates. The entrance 'fee charged is a serious tax upon the recources of many teachers during the early years of their career, when their salaries are small and their expenses for books and other necessities are many). The Hon. Mr Allen replied, The cost of the public examinations is very heavy, and although Parliament saw fit last year Io abolish the fees payable for the Public Service evaminai ions, yet I am not prpared io throw the extra burden upon the public funds of meeting the whole cost ol teachers' examinations. A great deal is being done now to enable uncertificated teachers to . qualify for certificates. Classes sire being held in all the education districts for their benefit, the cos: being met by annual grants. ", ■ I may add that the cost of the examinations held by the Department last year was about £2,000 above the fees received: further, it is found that the abolition of fees causes the entry of candidates who have' no serious intention of sitting for the examination, causing work in the preparation of papers, and so on, and consequent expenso without any corresponding benefit.