MINISTERS ANSWERS

Horowhenua Chronicle, 17 June 1916, Page 2

MINISTERS ANSWERS

• | TO M.P.s QUEKIES. ADJiiilisSL'D TO THE Kl. HO.\. Mil -MASSEY. Mr Jezminjjs (Tauinaruniii) to 46 k tho Minitser of Lands, Whether ne will, so ae to assist recruiting for mr Expeditionary forces, state definitely the policy the Lend Boards are guided by in regiard to holders or Occupation-witli-right-oi'-"pur chase and other sections who enlist; and whether holders of sections where money lias Dceu spent and improvements effected, luit which are unproductive at present, ae entitled to a rebate oi rent and rates? The Rt. Hon. Mr Maesov (Minister of Lands) replied: Section 23 cf the Land Laws Amendment- Act, 1915, meets cases such as those referred to, and authorizes the remission of rout, either wholly or in part, payable under lease administered by Land Boards if the lessees join the Expeditionary Forces. Jn all cases where a soldier leaves behind a holding which is unproductive. or is bringing in little or no return, special consideration in the matter of rent is given, aiid the Board always investigates the circumstances of eacli ease before submitting a recommendation. The remission of mtes is a matter for the local authority to consider and determine.

iir Jennings (Taumarunu) to ask the At mister of i/ands: Whether he can see his way cleifir tins session to anieiHl the year-to-year leaden oT Orown reserves m direction ot extending tlitf term (Note. — \ear-10-year leases of Crown reserves are eno-igli settlers in bush districts to take them up, as no settler with experience ,vjl> fell bush, sow gross, and teiice on the term of these leases). The Rt. Hon. Mr Massey replied: There' is already power to issue leases over public reserves up to twenty-one yea re, with a right ot renewal fot a further term of twenty-one years; but in many cases throughout the ■Dominion Vuidls arc reserved tor public purposes, such as post-officers, police-sta-tions, libraries, etc., but not immediately required for utilization in such a manner. Until required it is undesirable to let them for more than a short term in ease they are suddenly ■wanted. Tho LnfSi Boards deal with every case on its merits mid issue i:ich licenses or lease as is best under he circumstances.

Mr W. Stewart (Bay ot Islands) ti ask the Government: Whether the,' will enquire into the question of alien: on the northern gum fields and givf instructions that no more gum-diurginc licenses lie issued to any alien subject.' (Note. —Minn v disloyal utterances hare lately been reported as emanating from these people. The question is a very serious one, as the presence ot aliens, in such numbers in this district i*s a serious menace to the Tlritidi «-cttler. The .kauri-gum reserves should bo protected, as far a.s possible, 'or British diggers who are Trow fighting for the Empire, and who on tlnir veturn # to the (Dominion will certainty wish to go back to the free and independent life of the gumlields). The Rt. Hon. Mr Massey (Prime Minister) replied : Instructions have already been given to the effect that no more gum licenses are to be issued to aliens who are not natuiwlized. Mr Fletcher (Wellington Central) to ask the Prime Minister: (1) Whether, in view of tho fact that there is a representative of the New Zealand Sugar Company conferring with the flovernment, he will sec that. the Sugar Company docs not increase the price considering that the company's net profits for last year were about jRiOO,OO0 .' ("2.) Whether, seeing that sugar is unobtainable in Wellington, lie will state how much sugar ho has allowed the Sugar Company to export out of New Zealand? (3.) Whether he will take such stops as may be deemed neccsM.ry to prohibit the exportation ot sugar until such time as the quantity re-

quired for consumption in the Dominion its assured P •The Rt. Hon. Mr Massey replied: The matter to which the' honourable gentleman. refers is .receiving the serious consideration ot' the Government. It is well, however, to remember that so far as sugar is concerned New Zealand is an importing country, no sugar being produced hero. Mr Fletcher to ask tho Prime Minister : (I) AVhothor in view of the tact that wheat is practicably the -hime price as it was in August, 1914, when bran whs £3 per ton and pollard Co per ton, ho will state the reason why bran is £5 per ton and pollard £8 per ton at the present date'i (2.) "Whether he will state the reasons why at the present date the price ot pollard in Australia i« £5 15s per ton and in Now Zea<andi £8 per ton.

The Rt. Hon. Mr Massey replied: The honourable member's question lias been referred to the Board of Trade.

ADDRESSED TO THE 11T. HON. SIR J. G. WARD. * Mr Okey (Tamnafci) to ask the 'Government, Whether they are aware that life insurance companies' that have policies over the of many of those who have gone to fclie tront, and have been missing, and afterwards declared dead by the Military Oourt of Inrprry. will not pay out on these pol'cies without a bond given by two securities to the effect that the amount will be repaid, with compound! interest, at o per cent from time ol payment, should the missing person reappear: and wne. flier, considering the peculiar circumstances of the ease, and the difficulty some of the poorer parents may have i-i obtaining securities, they will accept the responsibility in such casesP The Rt. Hon. Sir J. i>. Ward (Minister of Finance) replied : bo far as the Government Insurance Department is concerned, no such bond is asked for. The Department pays over the sum assured to the administrator appointed by the Oourt, or to the Public Trustee, if he takes out administration, without requiring securities ot the character referred to. Mr Jennings (Taumarunui) to ask the Minister of finance. Whether he will amend the Advances to Act in tho direction that owners of sections held on tho deterred payment system trom the Native l/and Board; may have an opportunity ot improving their holdings by obtaining advances, which privilege at present is dolxirre■ i to them though the title is fSsued by the Government of the country? The Bt. Hon. Sir J. U. Wnnl (Minister of Finance replied. It is ot proposed to amend the -State Advances Act during the present session.

ADDRESSED TO TIIK HON. MR ALLEN. Mr Witty (Riecarton) to ask tin* Minister of Defence ,'Whether he is aware that tlio Defence department discharged as unfit a returned soldier on. the 31st -May at the end of his three weeks' leave, and thai the man reonlisted and was passed* oil the Ist June by the Government doctor as fit lor active service? The Hon. Mr AVen. Minister of Defence, replied: Tf the honourable member for Riccnrtoii will supply the name of the soldier referred to inquiries will bo made. The Defence Department han no particulars of the case.