FERTILISER PRICE

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25553, 22 July 1948, Page 6

FERTILISER PRICE

PARLIAMENT W

QUESTION ASKED IN HOUSE PROPOSAL FOR MARGINAL LAND (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, July 21. Was it the intention of the Minister of Agriculture (Mr E. L. Cullen) or the Government to reduce the present high cost of fertiliser? asked Mr J. K. McAlpine (Opposition, Selwyn). in a notice of question in the House ot Representatives to-day. If it was not the Minister’s intention, would the Government definitely say so, so that farmers Alight know where they stood and not hold off waiting for a reduction in price. Mr McAlpine asked also if the Minister’s attention had been drawn to the unsatisfactory fertiliser position in Canterbury, and added, in a note to the question, that a Wellington newspaper had reported that fertilisers were said to be piling up in the South Island because many farmers were withholding orders in anticipation of a reduction in priqe. In an urgent question, Messrs W. Sullivan (Opposition, Bay of Plenty) and Mr M. H. Oram (Opposition, Manawatu) asked whether the Minister would state what progress had been made and what action was proposed in setting aside a quantity of superphosphate at a reduced price for supplv to farmers on marginal or lighter lands. “Consultations have taken place between representatives of producer organisations, the Lands Department, and the Department of Agriculture for the purpose of defining a plan which can be reasonably administered in relation to marginal lands.” said the Minister, in reply. “Details of such a plan are being referred to the controlling bodies of the producer organisations for their consideration and comments. ,If acceptable, it will then be necessary to ensure that fertilisers are available to approved applicants on a priority basis. It will be difficult tn allocate a specific tonnage of fertiliser for use on marginal land as long as rationing is retained, as any such allocation would be at the expense of the overall allocation.”

MINISTERS REPLY TO QUESTIONS

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 21. Written replies by Ministers to questions, from members were given in the House of Representatives to-day. Ventilation of House. — The Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser), replying to, Mr C. Carr (Government, Timaru), who had inquired about the air conditioning of the House of Representatives, acknowledged that the ventilation was unsatisfactory and said a report had been sought by Mr Speaker (Mr R. McKeen) with a view to recommending improvements especially to maintain a more even temperature and the elimination of draughts which were noticeable in some parts of the chamber.

Export of Cigarettes.— The Minister of Finance (Mr W. Nash), answering Mr M. A. Oram (Opposition, Manawatu) said licences were being issued for the export of a limited quantity of certain brands of imported cigarettes from New Zealand to Australia. Importers had said they were overstocked, but there was no evidence of a surplus of 300,000,000 cigarettes as Mr Oram had suggested. Poliomyelitis.— The Minister of Health (Miss M. B. Howard), answering Dr. A. M. Finlay (Government, North Shore) said that in her experience there was at present no exaggerated public complacency about the dangers of ijpliomyelitis. Miss Howard said her department’s medical advisers did not think it necessary to impose blanket restrictions on children’s gatherings. At present local restrictions appeared to be meeting the situation.

Inspection of Children’s Homes.— Answering Mr W. T. Anderton (Government. Auckland Central), who had asked about conditions in St. Mary’s Home for Girls. Karori, Wellington, Miss Howard said the allegations which had been made about this home apparently concerned equipment and furnishing rather than sanitary conditions. The Health Department had power to inspect such homes, but had not inspected St. Mary’s. It was inspected last November by the Child Welfare Branch of the Education Department. Miss Howard said it was only fair to point out that later reports to the Anglican Synod in Wei lington had considerably modified the original statements about the* home, made to the synod by two clergymen, on which Mr Anderton’s question was based.

Aid to Russia.— Mr Nash, answering Mr A. G. Sutherland (Opposition, Hauraki) said no application had been made to the Reserve Bank by the Auckland Trades Council for a permit to transmit £l6OO to the Soviet Legation for aid to Russia. Auckland Harbour Bridge.—-The Minister of Works (Mr R. Semple), answering Dr. Finlay, said site investigation for the Auckland harbour bridge was proceeding with a view to the preparation of basic specifications Until this was done the final design of the bridge could not be started, but a preliminary study of bridge types had gone some distance. The supply position for materials was under continual review, and the Government was well placed to decide the best time to call tenders. Dr. Finlay, in his question, had quoted a statement by a representative of an Australian firm that the world steel supply should enable construction of the bridge to begin in three years. South Island Development.—The Minister of Lands (Mr C. F. Skinner) answering Mr J. R. Hanan (Opposition, Invercargill), said progress was being made with the development of new farm lands in the South Island as rapidly as possible, and bore favourable comparison with progress in the North Island. In 12 months to June 30, 135 farms were allotted in the North Island to servicemen under rehabilitation assistance, and 111 in the South Island. Farms actually allotted in February, March and April were: North Island. 24; South Island, 42. Farms being ballotted for in July and August were mostly dairy farms and a greater number were natural!” in the North Island.

Pyraimd Mine.— The Minister of Mines (Mr A. McLagan), answering Mr Oram, said negotiations for the purchase of the Pyramid mine near Reefton were opened with the Government by private owners who were unable to continue mining operations at a profit. The Govei«nment had offered to buy the mine at the valuation of £7750 and access drives - which was

French Minister’s Absence. —Mr Fraser, answering Mr W. J. Broadfoot (Opposition, Waitomo). said he had no information whether the absence from New Zeaalnd of the French Minister (Mr Armand Gazel) was associated with the Government’s lack of reciprocity in appointing a New Zealand Minister at Paris. Mr Fraser said it was not intended to abolish the New Zealand Legation at Moscow. The question of diplomatic representation in France and Belgium suitable to New Zealand’s requirements was under consideration.

REHABILITATION LOANS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 21. ■ The Minister of Rehabilitation (Mr C. F. Skinner) was asked in the House of Representatives to-day by Mr W. H. Gillespie (Opposition, Hurunui) if he would take steps to see that a returned serviceman who acquired a building loan at the present time to erect his own home was not penalised in comparison with his brother serviceman who acquired a similar loan in 1943. Would the Minister take steps to increase the present supplementary loan to a point, or make other provisions, which would enable servicemen to meet increased building costs, incurred to erect a home similar to those erected in 1943? Mr Gillespie asked in his notice of question.