MINISTERS REPLY TO QUESTIONS

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25589, 2 September 1948, Page 6

MINISTERS REPLY TO QUESTIONS

From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, September 1. Ministers’ replies to questions were circulated in the House of Representatives this afternoon. Bulk Produce Contracts.— The Minister of Finance (Mr W. Nash), answering Mr K. J. Holyoake (Opposition, Pahiatua), said the prices in the contracts for the bulk sale of New Zealand foodstuffs were and always had been fixed in sterling and there was no provision in the contracts for any adjustment of sterling prices consequent upon the appreciation of New Zealand currency. Trade with Japan.— Mr Nash, answering Mr T. P. Shand (Opposition, Marlborough), said an arrangement had been made for the sale of wool and other products to Japan, and licences for a limited amount had been issued for importation from Japan of textile piecegoods of a class required to meet essential needs Mr Shand had asked if licences had recently been issued for the importation of Japanese piecegoods Sub-letting of Houses.— “ The fair rent can be adjusted to meet any increased maintenance bill of a dwellinghouse.” said the Minister of Labour (Mr A. McLagan). renlying to a question from Mr D. C. Kid-i (Opposition. Waimate). Mr Kidd had asked for some relief to property owners whose tenants were sub-letting. The Minister said provision was made for action under the Fair Rents Act if a tenant, by sub-letting, was making an unreasonable profit. The Court was required to take into account the relative hardship and was given discretionary power.

Fertiliser Freight Charges. —The Minister of Agriculture (Mr E. L. Cullen), answering Mr Holyoake. said the Government was anxious to facilitate the economic use of fertilisers on hill country, and as soon as the effect of the reduction of the exchange rate could be properly gauged he intended d the over-all position of fertiliser prices with his colleagues to determlne what steps, if any. should be taken to adjust freight charges.