MEMBER'S QUESTIONS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 56, 30 August 1939, Page 3

MEMBER'S QUESTIONS

SOCIAL SECURITY MATTER PRICE OF FERTILISERS Mr A. G. Hultquist, M.P., has asked several questions in the Hon sr. of Representatives lately on various topics. He asked the Hon W. E. Parry (acting for the Minister of Social Security) whether he would amend the Social Security Act - Torder to make it possible for the .daughter of an elderly or incapacitated person to receivc a payment out of the Social Security Fund in cases where the daughter must remain at home in attendance on liei parent. ' Mr Parry replied that there was ample authority under the Act to assist cases of this nature, and amending legislation was therefore unnecessary. Mr Hultquist asked the Hon W. Lee Martin, Minister of Agriculture, whether, in view of the fact that much land is deteriorating mainly because of the lack of proper quan. titics of manure, he would investigate the possibility of instituting; a flat freight-paid price for the purpose of making superphosphate and lime available to settlers in isolated areas at a reduced price. He quoted the case of the Matakaoa County where land was deteriorating, yet manure cost £2 10s a ton. from Auckland to Hicks Bay. Freight from the wharf would also be high in view of the cost of petrol at Hicks Bav. Mr Martin replied that the Sheep Industry Commission would investigate the matter. In reply to another question concerning the itinerary ol this boh' Mr Martin said that the commission had arranged to visit the cast coJUt north of Gisbornc and the inlaivl country between Gisbome and Odgtiki. Sittings would be held at Wha_ katane and Cisborne.

NOT JUBILANT. Mr Hultquist said that he was not very jubilant concerning the Minister's reply to his appeal for the fixed freight on fertilisers. The sheep in every count}' in his electorate had increased in numbers, except in Matnkaoa County where a decline had taken place, due, in his to the inability of the settlers to get fertilisers at an economic price. Two years ago the Minister had agreed that the difference in thu price of fertilisers at Hicks Bay and a centre such as Tc Kuiti seemed too great & said that the matter had been referred to the Bureau of Industry, which was going into the whole position, including the question of the supply generally of l'er, tiliscrs and their price in outlying districts. Now the Minister said that the matter was one for the Sheep Industry Commission. There had been a large increase in the amount of fertiliser used in New Zealand as between the 3 r ears and 1938. The use of New Zealand superphosphate had increased by 9 per ecnt, or tons, and the quantity of imported phosphate had increased in the same period by : >'j per cent, from tons to 4'28000 tons. He was sure however thai that increase bad not been share.! on a pro ratW basis by the districts he represented, owing to the high prices charged for the delivery of the fertiliser to the farm.