QUESTIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1921, Page 4

QUESTIONS.

RKPN ICS OK MINISTERS. WELLINGTON. Nov. SL Replies to questions on tlic Order ]*»per were In id ou tlu* table oi the House by .Ministers. Among the replies were the following:—

That the Prime Minister bus been collecting information regarding farmers’ agricultural banks as existing in Denmark, and be proposes to submit such information to Parliament this session.

That the Dominion's share oi profits arising from the re-sale oi the first two wool clips (101 (>-17 and HU7-IS) sold to the Imperial Government lias already been distributed to growers. It would not lie possible to ascertain what profits, if any, arc available Imm the resale ol the last two wool clips (BHS-IB and IB 111-20), which were the subject of a separate contract, until the wool has been disposed of. At present then* are over UOO.OIM) bales still unsold, and the piescnt market position is such that it is unlikely that the final liquidation of these two clips will leave any profit for New Zealand wool growers.

That only four claims were received by the .Marine Department in connexion with the loss of life due to the sinking « f the Wimmera, and these were immediately forwarded to the Imperial Hoard of Trade in IUIO. The practice with regard to the settlement of claims for pensions and compensation in respect ol loss of life at sea through enemy action has been lor the \V:ir Risks Association of London and Liverpool, which dealt with them all, to arrange for payment through the owners of the vessel, and as the Wimmera was owned by tlie liuddart-

Parker Company Proprietary, Ltd., probably the claims have been dealt with through the head office in Melbourne. The Prime Minister, while in England, represented the case of the widow- and children of the captain of the vessel to the British Hoard ol Tin do, and suitable provision was made for them. That if any better methods than those at present in oj>eration foj marketing our meat can be obtained, such methods being in accordance with proper commercial principles* (he Government is quite prepaid to do its pan in assisting to ninke them a success. It is essential in endeavouring to lijiug alwm I suh impioted methods that efliei- ni business connexions shall be established in Great Britain, in order tied trust methods may Le effctively combated. Any businesslike scheme which is submitted g* the Government will he given most sympathetic consideration. with a view of furnishing such assisianc** in establishing ii as is possible. That, a Bill has been pic-pared, and now receiving consideration, amending section r>7 of the Life Insurance \»i. panics |«i return all ppaniums paid in the event of death before tin* age of ten

That the c|tiesiion of introducing legislation on the subjec t of waterfront labour is now under consideration, and if it is decided to inlfodueo a Hill. it will be circulated amongst harbour boards and other bodies concerned fur their consideration. r l hat tlie Government will do all that is possible to etleoinage the distribution of New Zealand products in the North of England through such ports as Hull, Liverpool, and Manchester.

That the Government are doing everything possible to meet tlie unemployed difficult v.

That is is regret ied that the benefits of the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act cannot be further extended til the

present time. That the Government has available a mas- of information regarding companies engaged in the meat trade in New Zealand. Its enquiries and observations are continuing, and it is quiteprepared to act at any time when the necessity arises for action, nt the true interests of the producers of the Bo-

Thut it is not proposed to continue the amount of pension at present payable to Maori war veterans to their widows.