MINISTERS REPLY TO QUESTIONS

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25547, 15 July 1948, Page 6

MINISTERS REPLY TO QUESTIONS

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 14. Ministers’ written answers to members’ questions were circulated in the House of Representatives to-day. Diplomatic Bags.— There was no evidence that any foreign mission in New Zealand was abusing its diplomatic privileges, but if the member could adduce any grounds for suspecting misuse of diplomatic bags the matter would be investigated, said the Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) in reply to Mr A. S. Sutherland (Opposition, Hauraki). Mr Sutherland had asked that necessary precautions be taken to see that Communist propaganda films were not smuggled into. New Zealand in diplomatic bags to escape censorship. Control of Immigration.— Mr Fraser, replying to Mr W. J. Broadfoot (Opposition, Waitomo), said existing legislation would enable the Government to prevent the re-entry into New Zealand, if it desired to do so, of persons who. after living for years in New Zealand had returned to their native land, behind the “Iron Curtain” in Europe. UNESCO Conference.— Mr Fraser, reply to Mr W. A. Sheat (Opposition, Patea), said no decision had yet been made as to the size or personnel of the New Zealand delegation to the third UNESCO conference, but as the conference was being held at Beirut in the sterling area no dollar expenditure should be necessary. Two New Zealanders who had been members of previous delegations but who were now members of the UNESCO secretariat, were prohibited from representing New Zealand while so employed. Suggested £2 Note.—The Minister of Finance (Mr W. Nash), replying to Dr. A. M. Finlay (Government, NorthShore), said the suggestion that a £2 note be added to the existing range of values was being examined by the Reserve Bank, which would report to the Government.

Produce in Store.— The Minister of Marketing (Mr E. L. Cullen), replying to Mr J. J. Maher (Opposition, Otaki), said that at June 30 there were 7400 tons of butter in store of the production for export for the 1947-48 season of 130,500 tons, which meant that about on enn r cen *- had been shipped. Of 82,600 tons of cheese produced 96 per cent, have been shipped, leaving 3400 tons in store. Of 350,000 tons-of meat produced, 56 .per cent, had been shipped, leaving 155,000 tons in store. ' Cement Supplies— The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr A H. Nornmeyer), answering a question by ilr W. Sullivan (Opposition, Bay of lenty), discussed difficulties of , iment nroduction, but said it was iKely that, - either through the operaon of new companies or the ex--nsion of existing plant, the output of ew Zealand cement factories could be appreciably increased. Limited supU? s .2 f cement were available overseas but the cost so, much exceeded the New Zealand price that importers were reluctant to order it. MR FREER’S SPEECH AT TIMARU STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER (P ;AJ WELLINGTON, April 14. . T “e honourable member for Mount u (Mr Freer > assures me that he had no intention of imputing any sinister intentions in . regard to war to the Government of the United States, said the Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) in the .House of Representatives to-day, in a reply to a question by Mr W. H. Gillespie (Opposition. Hurunui) about a speech by Mr Freer at Timaru. “His reference to the ‘powers that be was intended for certain private interests, whom he considered to be interested in fomenting international animosities regardless of consequences, ’ continued the. Prime Minister. He regrets the use of any terms he used which could in any way be construed as an attack upon* the sincerity in endeavouring* to secure peace of the United States Government or people as a whole, for whom he has the highest regard.”