ACTIVE MEMBER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 77, 8 September 1947, Page 4

ACTIVE MEMBER

QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE MR W. SULLIVANIS QUERIES Replying to Mr W. Sullivan (National, Bay of Plenty) in the House of Representatives, the Minister of Works (Mr Semple) said that the temporary with-holding of the Building Controller’s authority for the issue of building permits for houses was relaxed on August 21, and housing applications were now being approved in conformity with usual policy. In another question addressed to the Minister of Supply, Mr Sullivan drew attention to an article in the “Fruit and Produce Journal” which stated that extremely wasteful use was being made of hundreds of railway trucks in the transporting of South Island potatoes to Auckland, and he asked the Minister whether he would investigate the position and inform the House of the course he considered necessary to eliminate wasteful use of rail transport and to ensure a speeding up of the inter-Island freight services. Mr Sullivan said it was alleged that, because of shipping difficulties South Island potatoes were landed at North Island coastal ports, and thence railed to Auckland. One case was reported of potatoes being railed from Canterbury to Picton, shipped to Wellington and railed to Auckland.

Replying, the Minister (Mr Nordmeyer) "said every effort had been, made by the Shipping Controller to provide the necessary shipping space for the transport of potatoes from South Island ports to Auckland, but until recently it was impossible to lift all the potatoes required in the north as quickly as they were available. It was therefore mecessary to utilise rail transport to prevent acute shortage of potatoes occurring in Auckland. Recently two substantial shipments had gone forward from Lyttelton to Auckland, and another was leaving Timaru this week, which should materially relieve the position there.

Mr W. Sullivan also asked for the reasons for the return to England of Dr. F. G. J. Lishman, formerly medical officer on the East Coast.

Replying, the Minister of Health (Miss Howard) said that Dr. Lishman came to New Zealand under appointment to the department on the same conditions as a number of other recently arrived medical officers, except that he and one other were to receive a higher personal salary because of their special qualifications. After a few weeks in New Zealand, Dr'. Lishman expressed his desire to terminate his engagement and return to England. It would be unfair to Dr. Lishman to make public his reasons for this action, as they were entirely personal. Before leaving for New Zealand, Dr. Lishman was informed that the housing position in New Zealand was difficult, and before he decided to return to England he knew that arrangements were in train by the Government to provide him with a house. Payment of compensation had not been suggested. The Minister said she would be glad to supply further information on the matter to Mr Sullivan personally if he desired.