POLITICAL NOTES

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19132, 15 October 1927, Page 16

POLITICAL NOTES

[TUB PEES* Special Serrlct.] ■WELLINGTON, October 14. Ross Sea Whales. In the House of Representatives today Mr V. H. Potter (Roskill) raised a question in regard to Ross Sea whaling. He urged the Government to request the Imperial Government to declare a close season for vrhalcs in the Dependency. The Hon. Mr Anderson replied that Mr Potter had raised a very big question, but he thought he need not worry about a close season at present. The question of -whaling in the South Seas was now being considered by the nations interested, and something might eventuate from the consultations now taking place. South Island Shipping. The scope of the enquiry the Joint I Select Committee is conducting into the question of improving shipping facilities between South Island ports and Australia is to be widened to include determination of the ports in the South Island which it will be practicable to include in the itinerary of the Government Island steamer, Sir Maui Pomare. Notice of the Prime Minister's intention to amend the order of reference in the manner indicated was given in the House of Representatives, and was received with approval. Duty on Sewing Machines, Among the amendments introduced into the Customs Amendment Bill tonight on the Minister's motion was one relating to sewing machines. In the original schedulo to the Bill it was proposed that British machines be admitted free, but that foreign machines bo liable to 10 per cent. duty. The Minister's amendment, which was agreed to by the House, makes sewing machines free from all countries.. Timber Industry. Speaking on the Customs Amendment Bill in'the House to-night, the Prime Minister said that in- the timber industry there had been an agitation, and they were told that there must be an increased tariff or there would be thousands of unemployed in the country. The Government, how-ever, refused that demand, and asked the re-, presentatives of the timber industry to meet them and dissuss the whole question. It was quite clear that the timber milling industry had arrived at a stage when it had ignored the requirements of the demand. The user had not been considered ■to the extent he should have been considered, and the people had got into the habit of importing timbers that were easier to work and better in some other ways. The Government, however, was satisfled that New Zealand timbers should be used in New Zealand and that they could fill the bill. Stage by stage the industry has been reorganised by the millers themselves. "And I say now definitely," added Mr Coates, "that our timber industry to-day is within near range of being able to supply New Zealand with timber -grown in the country, as good as any timber that can be imported. That has been done by reorganisation of the industry itself, and under a tariff that is not high. I believe that ultimately we will be able to use the whole of the timber that is being grown in this country for our requirements." About Boots. v "Can we do the same with tlie boot industry?" asked the Prime Minister. "Is it possible to have boots that will compete in price, in quality, and generally, with the imported article? What lines will the manufacturers have to follow?" Increased tariff, added Mr Coates, might mean increased inefficiency, although he was not suggesting for a moment that the boot manufacturers were inefficient. He believed that concentration and thougnt on the part of men who knew their business or science, with the assistance ' of 'organisers, could bring about the desired result—a result which had been asked for by increased: tariff. "The first duty of the Government is to see that any industry which claims, protection is efficient," the Prime MmASlev continued., "If we agree to increase the duty to cover up inefficiency, the, people will have to pay for it in the'long run."