POLITICAL NOTES

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19112, 22 September 1927, Page 8

POLITICAL NOTES

[THE PRESS Special B®rrlc«.]

WELLINGTON, September 21.

Carriage of Lime.

In the House of Representatives to(lay tlio Hon. Mr Hawken stated in refcrcncc to a proposed subsidy on tlio road carriage of lime for small settlers farming under difficult circumstances, that in 192-i an arrangement was innde that in cases where financial assistance was deemed necessary, a subsidy of 3s per ton, on up to 300 tons per annum for the first threo years, would be granted on all lime sent out from farmers' cooperative lime works, and ilsed for agricultural purposes. No change had sinco been made in that arrangement, and if it were found that the claims payablo undor it exceeded the amount provided on the Estimates, other provision would bo made for meeting the payments iu duo course. He was at present going into the whole question, to ascertain whether it was possible to put those who did not enjoy any railway privi. leges on a better looting. Some parts greatly benefited from the free carriage of lime, while other pnrts, equally as much in need of the lime, wore debarred from tho privilege. One point that had to be watched was that if a subsidy were paid on road carriage, tho lorrv might 1)0 used instead of tho train for short distance journeys. The use of lime for top-dressing purposes was likely to lead to much greater production than at present, and he had instructed his Department to enquire into the whole position. Ho hoped before very long to be able to do something to help the small settlers, and those in difficult circumstances, with a subsidy on tho road carriage of lime.

Workers' Wages. In the Houso of Representatives today in. reply to Mr H. E. Holland'! question about loss of wages Buffered by workmen in connexion with the failure of the contractors for the Benown Colliery Rope road, the Minister for Mines (the Hon. Mr Anderson) made the following statement:—"Ai the Leader of the Opposition is already aware, the Government some months ago announced that it would introduce legislation this session amending the Coal Mines Act, 1925, with the object of protecting the wages of workmen employed in any coal-mining operations The question of introducing further legislation protecting the wages of workmen employed in other industries is being seriously considered by the Government. The Government has 'already taken steps to ascertain, the position as 1 between the contractors and the colliery company, and it is understood that liens against the company have been made with the object of protecting the wages due by the contractors," It may be pointed out, however, that tho matter is solely one between the company, the contractors, and the work, men employed by the latter. Steps have already been taken with the object of providing work for as many of the men as possible. The company lias invited fresh tenders for completing the work, and in the event of a tender being accepted it is more than likely, that many of the men will be re-em-ployed on such work.'' The Dairy Board.

Replying to a question by, Mr Ban« som (Pahiatua) regarding the levy oil J dairy farmers in. con'nexion irith the W cost of running the Control Board, the Minister for Agriculture. %■ (the Hon. Mr Hawken) to-day said that the Board had itself reduced the \ levy by half, and the expenses of the £ Board under the present p6licy. should ;f bo very much less than those incurred ' last year. The Government did not ,*fii propose to interfere in the direction ' ' indicated. * lf River Erosion. In the House of to* - day Mr H. E. Holland asked thq Prin{» Minister whether he would accede to' 1 the request of the Buller, Murcliiaotf, and Inangahua County Councils that a . Select Committee be appointed to taks.-j evidenco during the present stuion. from the counties on the matter protection of land and roads against river erosion. The Prime Minister .re-, plied that the problem, to which the honourable member referred was will : known to the Government, but at. this stage of the session it was deemed impracticable to deal with the matter. The question would, however, be take# into consideration during the recess. Mount Cook Service.- , ' ' Replying to a question by Mr Buf» nett (Temuka), Mr Coates stated thfti the Railway Department had already explored the possibilities of a rail MK . vice from Timaru to Fairlie ill' thi morning and back in the Afternoon tot the conveyance of tourists and visitors to and from the Mount CoOk Herpjitj ; age, but it was found that the prospec- . tive traffic was quite insufficient ( to warrant the institution of Buch a B6J> vice. "1 may mention for the infor« mation of the honourable membef, ' said Mr Coates, /'that a count take# ' during the height of the summef period showed an average of only tea , ' passengers per day from the Hermitage, fifteen being the highest Jn any one day."