QUESTIONS BY, MEMBERS

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24369, 22 September 1944, Page 3

QUESTIONS BY, MEMBERS

MINISTERIAL REPLIES OLA.) ’ ' WELLINGTON, Sept.' 21 Another opportunity was afforded members of parliament to discuss Ministerial replies to questions yesterday when an additional three. supplementary order papers, with printed replies; were' brought ; down - and discussed along with the paper left unfinished last wfcek. Other questions were • presented by- members for replies at a later date.

Auckland Harbour Tunnel

IMr A. S.'Richards, on behalf of the Public Petitions; Committee, reported that the v Auckland petition praying for the construction of a tunnel under the Waitemata harbour would be referred to the Government for most favourable,.consideration. The report was adopted without comment. Cleaning Material Mr H. T. Morton (Opposition, Waitemata), in a question addressed to the Minister of : Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) asked if the Minister’s attention had been drawn to an Auckland report that thousands of cotton service tunics had been distributed as waste for cleaning purposes, after being slashed with a knife. Mr Morton suggested that they would have been ideal wear for carpenters, painters, and others.

Overseas Service

Mr E. P. Meachen (Government, Marlborough) asked the Minister of Defence to consider the family circumstances of men who had had service overseas before sending them on another overseas tour of duty. He quoted the case of a married man with young children being sent overseas for a second time, while ‘single men in the same unit had been discharged.

Children’s Footwear

The Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) replying to a question by Mr J. T. Watts (Opposition, Riccarton) concerning children’s footwear, said;

“New Zealand made children’s footwear compared favourably with imported footwear in both quality and price. Continuous action Was taken by ■ manufacturers and the appropriate Government authorities to improve the standard of quality. Sole leather in particular was the subject of constant scientific research." Soldiers’ Loans

The Minister of Finance (the Hon. W, Nash) replying to Mr E. P. Aderman (Opposition, New Plymouth) said the Government’s policy was to ensure that discharged servicemen should be charged the minimum rates of interest after taking account of the interest rate on loans raised by the Government, and the costs of administering these loans to servicemen. “To ensure the minimum rates being charged, the whole question is being examined and if circumstances warrant, interest -rates will be adjusted accordingly.’’ , Building Restrictions Mr Sullivan, answering Mr F. Fihdlay (Opposition, Hamilton), said the Government intended to remove the present building restrictions as soon as the manpower and material situation permitted. Loading of Ammunition

Mr Jones, answering a question by Mr W. A. Sheat (Opposition, Patea) as to the payment of troops who loade<j ammunition which Wellington waterside workers refused to handle without additional payment, said the soldiers who loaded the ammunition cargo were paid by the Government as follows: (a) ordinary military pay of their rank and allowances; (b) an additional 6d an hour up to eight hours; (c) 2s 6d hourly for any overtime. This was in, accordance with the scale approved by the War Cabinet, and applicable to all, classes of civilian work; performed, by soldiers. • Award rates were. paid, by'.the employing, authority to the Governpient, and . the amount received was credited to; the war expenses account. .

Marketing of Produce

Mr M. H, Oram (Opposition, Manawatu) asked for the terms on which the New Zealand . Fruit and .Produce Merchants’ and Auctioneers' Federation handled produce passing through , their Hands. Mr Stillivah said that except in the case" of potatoes add onions,' where the general, practice was for wholesalers to buy and sell at prices, within the tetms of the related price orders, members of the federation named acted as del credere agents for the producers of locally grown fruit and vegetables. They also acted for the Internal Marketing. Division in a similar ..capacity for imported fruits, New Zealand-grown apples, pears, and Jemons (excluding Meyer), except that sales were made at prices fixed by the Division. “At no time does the ownership pass from the producers or division to the auctioneers, who sell on account of the principal to the highest bidder, subject to ceiling prices where covered, by a price order, and remit after the deduction of charges. Federation members Work on a fixed basis of 10 per cent, on the wholesale selling price of packed fruit and vegetables, and 12J per c6nt. on loose fruit and vegetables. With imported oranges and lemons sold on behalf of the Internal Marketing Division the commission is limited to a maximum of . four shillings a case. The additional charge of one penny a package for receiving and delivering which was formerly made by auctioneers has now been withdrawn,” concluded the Minister.