MR FIELD’S QUESTIONS.

Shannon News, 24 October 1924, Page 2

MR FIELD’S QUESTIONS.

ADDRESSED TO MINISTERS. The following questions have been asked in Ramanumi oy xvir W. H. Fieia, M.P., l.or OiaKi;— COMPETITION W llli NURSERYMEN Whether tne Commissioner oi s>tate Forests hag" lead a cncmar uated August, 19*4, issued by tne nurserymen. of New Zealand, complaining that file Government has not kept definite promises made to tne nurserymen with respect to State forestry service competition, ofid whether the allegations contained in the circular, 'mentioned are substantially .■feme; and whether he will make a more definite statement than has yet been made on tne subject, and lay a modus yivendi whereoy the , State shall continue tlie valuable service it is rendering witn respect to tree planting, and at tlie same time allow ail nurserymen to. prontufily carry on their business? (Note.— Capital to the extent of nearly half a niiliiota is said to be invested in nurseries, and it’is. understood that fifteen hundred men are continuously employed). . The liou. Sir R. H. Rhodes (Commissioner of State Forests) replied, I have read tlie circular referred to. The wfioie question has recently been the subject, oi a petition by the nurserymen, and the report o.i the Petitions Committee lias been presented to the House. In the circumstances 1 do not think it would be proper mr; him to make any further statement on the subject at tlie present time. RETURNED EOLDIERS AND. LAND VALUES. Whether the Munster qf Lands will do any thing to. .substantially relieve, and give a chance oi succeeding u>, returned soldiers who have selected larm properties' in booni, tunes aim at; excessive prices, and completed die purchase Qi same with tue approval of tne Department, and With the assistance oi Goyermnent loanmoney, ana many oi wnom nave spent large sums oi men; own auu. uieir menus’ money, and years oi their own labour, on sucn properties, and who. now find tneinseives, notwithstanding their own sirenuioius enueavoius and uie intervention oi me Valuation Roarus, utterly uminie tp maite a living xrom such properties; and whether, it unable to assist such soiuiers in' suuie other way, ne win provide such sQiciier settlers. Witn btheiv farms upon which they can reasonably hope to succeed? • Tiie Boil. Mr. McLeod (Minister of Lands) replied: Every case will receive the iareiul consideration oi the .Dcpaitment and tlie {Government. The 'policy bbs always been to endeavour to reinstate any soldier settier who, through no. .fault oi Ins own, but owing to unfortunate c... cumstances lias been unable to sue cessiufiy Occupy his property. Rue., soldier settler can be reinstated or. bis old holding, or o.n any suitable area of Grown land or land held by the Crown. *lt is not proposed to specially purchase lands for the above purpose. OTAKI SUNDAY. TRAINS.

Whether' tne Railway Department will now extend the time, as was done last summer, lor the departure of the retuin teunuay train iroin Utaki, and thus give visitors to. the Manawatu line as much time as possible in the country; and whether tli© •Depart-, ment ca.nnoL accelerate the Sunday, train to. Otciki by reducing tile duration of the long and dreary stops at Johnsonville, Piimmertoai, and Paekakariki? . The Hon. Mr Goa.tes (Minister of Railways) replied: During the summer months the departure-time ol the train from Otaki will he 5...30 p.m. This arrangement wiM come into operation on Sunday, 2nd November. The matter of the time occupied at Johnsonville, Plimmerton, and Paekakariki is being looked ifit° ?htn. a view to effecting a reduction if possible.