PARLIAMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1124, 24 July 1913, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

Wellington, July 23

In answer to questions to-day, the various Ministers stated that the Government is not aware of a trust operating in the butter trade. The high prices in the Dominion appear to be due to the comparatively small quantity in cold storage. If a workman is incapacitated for a fortnight, half his wages are paid from the date of accident, together with medical expenses up to £l. These allowances compare favourably with the payments made under similar circumstances in other countries, and it is not considered advisable to increase them.

The Forestry Commission has recommended that tree planting operations should be carried out on a larger scale than at present, and that sand dunes should be some of the lands to be afforested, and that a beginning should be made on the dunes at the mouth of the Rangitikei River. Operations are now being started there. There is no power at present to prevent the importation of shoddy boots and shoes, provided the same are not marked in such a manner as to mislead the purchaser as to the material of which they are composed. The desirability of introducing legislation to compel certain goods of common consumption to bear a sufficient trade description is under consideration of the Government.

The matter of inquiring into the origin of every fire was under the consideration of the Government.