MAORIS IN N.Z. PARLIAMENT

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25080, 11 January 1947, Page 2

MAORIS IN N.Z. PARLIAMENT

CANADIAN PRESS COMMENT (N.zL Press Association—Copyright) MONTREAL. January 9. The “Montreal Gazette,” in a leading article, states: “No more intriguing political situation exists in representative government than that resulting from the recent General Election in New Zealand, where the Socialist Government retains office by the grace of its four Maori members. However, the Maori members are unlikely to exploit the tremendous power their unique position gives them. They are obedient party men. and like the majority of their race are dazzled by the handsome social service benefits conferred on them during the terms of the Socialist Government. “Maori leadership was formerly more vigorous and individualistic, and might have demanded political advantage in return for its support. No such spectre confronts Mr Fraser.

“Meanwhile, the question is the degree of authority conferred by such equivocal election results. Mr Fraser considers his party majority as an emphatic vote of confidence, but the Opposition claims, with some cogency. that since the seats are equally divided, the Labour Government canqot, by any casuistry, claim that a white majority gave it a mandate to continue its programme of socialism.”

TRAFFIC RECEIPTS DECLINE TRANSPORT REVENUE IN BRITAIN (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, January 10. Traffic receipts for four British main line railway companies and the London Passenger Transport Board decreased last year by nearly £23,000,000, or more than 6 per cent. The biggest decrease was in goods traffic, which fell by £16,500,000. Passenger receipts fell by just under £8,500,000, but receipts from the carriage of coal rose by more than £2,000,000. Under a war-time agreement between the Government and the railway companies, which is still in force, the Treasury must shoulder the loss. TWO TRAINS IN ACCIDENT CHLORINE GAS AFFECTS PASSENGERS

(Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, January 10. Twenty-five persons were taken to hospital, some suffering from chlorine gas poisoning, when the ToulouseMarseilles passenger train crashed into a derailed goods train at Calissane. The goods train was derailed when it crashed into barrels of chlorine gas which had fallen from the previous train. Almost immediately afterwards a passenger train ploughed into the goods train and was also derailed. Passengers and the train crew fled into the fields to escape the fumes, and it was several hours before breakdown gangs were able to approach the scene.

TARGETS FOR AIR GUNNERS PILOTLESS AIRCRAFT DESIGNS (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, January 9. The Royal Air Force will develop radio-controlled Meteor fighters capable of a speed of nearly 600 miles an hour as pilotless targets for training future anti-aircraft gunners. All the new types of fighters in future are to be adaptable as gunnery targets. Radio -control will provide the gunners with suitable targets, and it eliminates the risk of shooting down the pilots of-the towing, planes. Tempest fighters, being modified to tow the conventional targets, will fill the gap until the radio-controlled aircraft are ready. DEMANDS OF BRITISH SHIPYARD WORKERS PROTEST STRIKE ON CLYDE PLANNED (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, January 9. The Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions has expressed profound dissatisfaction about the decision of • the employers’ federation against a 40-hour five-day week. The confederation has advised its members to continue working the present hours until they hear the results of the Government inquiry, but it emphasises that any complications which arise will be considered the responsibility of the employers. The Clyde shipyard workers have decided to hold a token protest strike on January 11. The strike will affect 60.000 men in 30 yards. RUSSIA SEEKS BASES IN SPITZBERGEN

REQUEST TO NORWAY REPORTED (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, January 9. Russia has asked Norway for facilities for military bases in Spitzbergen, says the diplomatic correspondent of “The Times.” No details are available. 79 KILLED IN GREEK CLASH STRUGGLE FOR MOUNTAIN VILLAGE (Rec. 8 p.m.) ATHENS, January 10. Four Greek officers and 25 other ranks and 50 guerrillas were killed in I fighting at a mountain village near Sufli, which changed hands twice. Fighting continues. GOLD RESERVES OF ARGENTINA (Rec. 10 p.m.) BUENOS AIRES, Jan 9 Central bank sources in Argentina have disclosed that Argentina is rapidly repatriating its gold reserve from the United States and Britain to avoid any risk of a new gold embargo. A total of 60,000,000 dollars of its world 1° nu l ? have arrived by ship from the United States since December 1 as well as 8.000.000 dollars from Britain. inis second amount was held in Britain for the Central Bank and is not connected with Argentina’s frozen plan nnn nnL anc %i) vhich is estimated at £14°,000.000 The remainder of the New York balance, which exceed? 180 000 000 dollars, will be flown to Argentina.