MINISTERS REPLY TO QUESTIONS

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25607, 23 September 1948, Page 6

MINISTERS REPLY TO QUESTIONS

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, September 22, Ministers’ written replies to mem- ; bers’ questions were circulated in the • House of Representatives to-day. Price of Petrol.— The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr A. H. Nordmeyer). answering Mr C. M. Bowden (Opposition, Karori). said a new price for petrol would the present “pool” was exhausted. Mr Bowden had asked when, in view of the alteration in the exchange rate, an announcement of future prices would be made. Keas in National Parks.— Answering a question by Mr J. K. McAlpine (Opposition, Selwyn), the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr W. E. Parry) said that keas, with air other native fauna, were protected within the national parks, but not on sheepfarming lands “A field investigation seems to show that these birds are not very numerous in the national park reserves in Canterbury,” said the Minister. “It is not considered that the protection they enjoy there has any great bearing on the position in the pastoral country.” Delay in Payment of Bonds.—Replying to a question from Mr W. H. Gillespie (Opposition, Hurunui) about alleged delays by post office officials in' paying out on National savings bonds which were overprinted with an earlier repayment date, the Minister of Finance (Mr W. Nash) said that the bonds referred to were commonly known as "wool bonds,” which were issued in 1943 with interest from February, 1943, and maturity on February 1, 1948 Normally National Savings bonds had a currency of five years from the date of issue but the maturity date of the wool bonds was altered to February 1, 1948. by the post office after the date of issue. In a few cases where postal officers were doubtful of the correct maturity date payment had been delayed pending instructions from the General Post Office, Wellington. Clear instructions had now been issued to all postal money order offices to Pay wool bonds on presentation. Mr Gillespie discussing the reply, claimed that the bonds, which had been bought by a Christchurch businessman, were not wool bonds but ordinary National Savings bonds. Lease of Lochinvar Run.— “ The Government has never deliberately leased Crown land on such a basis as to exclude the local bodies’ collecting any further rates,” said. the Minister of n ' Skinner) replying to Mr McAlpine. The question presumably referred to the Lochinvar run of approximately 63,500 acres, which was surrendered to the Crown in 1947 It was reoffered in March, 1948, but was not selected and was still open for selection on the advertised terms “In the hope of attracting a suitable lessee ls being given to a reduction .m the improvement loading, which now stands at £845.” said the Minister. “Pending satisfactory arrangements for re-selection the manSf r ° f the adjoining Esk Head station has been employed to rabbit Lochinvar a *? d has been granted permission to graze up to 150 head of cattle on a week-ta-week basis. In view of thl possibility of Lochinvar being reselected on a permanent tenure 8 it is X?°tW° r the land board to grant other than temporary grazing-rights in tha/thae 1 ™ e ' ’■ Mr MeAI P in e had said hart n ? lssioner 01 Crown Lands had recently leased an area of 80.000 short t?r m a i grazu l6 basis instead of short-term lease, thus exempting the body 6 rates’ ” hospital board a " d local Use of Ironsand The Minister in charge of Scientific and Industrial Re- ,® a IJ b H ' McCombs), replying to Mr Broadfoot, said the departmen’ was seeking suitable methods for the f™™ actlon botb icon and titanium lr °. n m nd l. Tbe scientific liaison to’ke r en t t^ a rt h ' nSt .° n had been asked to keep the department informed o’ any developments. No method had yebS fOU ? d fo « r the extraction of 1 New Zealand ironsand. Centralisation of Shinping. _Mr rairt d 7h ey n answe rina Mr Aderman, Ov ?cseas Shipowners’ AllotCommittee considered the cencransaiion of shipnina was at present the most economical policy, but the Government was not convinced this Practice should continue indefinitely Stens were therefore being taken to press for a reversal of the wartime □niiev of centralising overseas shin- 1 pmg. j

Waterside Workers—The Minister of labour (Mr A. McLagan). renlyinv to Mr A. S Sutherland (Opnos'tion. HauFu a •. who quoted a nublished reuort tna. Auckland watersiders had oromised support to American longshoremen against “the common enemy,” stated: “If any actioh is necessary to protect the economv of New Zealand it will be considered if and when the nceri arises.”

Russian Colonial Policy.— The Prime Minister (Mr Fraser), replying to Mr E. P. Aderman (Opposition. New Plymouth). said the Government of the Soviet Union, in common with other member governments of the United Nations, had accepted the objectives stated in article 73 of the charter for the political, economic, and social development of the peoples of colonial territories. Events only would indicate the extent to which all governments would adhere to the provisions of the charter. Mr Aderman had asked the Prime Minister if he agreed with’ the recent statement of Mr D. W Forsyth in Australia that “Russia aimed at inspiring revolution in the world’s 70 colonies.”

Jugoslavs in New Zealand.—The Prime Minister, replying to Mr W. J. Broadfoot (Opposition, Waitomo), said he had been informed that the vessel Radnik was returning to New Zealand and might embark further passengers for Jugoslavia. If, as had been alleged, any persons were being intimidated with a view to persuading them to return to Jugoslavia they should immediately inform the police. Every effort would be made to find and deal with those responsible for making such threats. “That sort of thing will not be tolerated in New Zealand.” said the Prime Minister. “It. should be stated, however, no complaints have so far been made to the police at Auckland or anywhere else.”

Chinese Labourers in Samoa.— The Prime Minister, replying to Mr R. M. Algie (Opposition, Remuera) said the repatriation of Chinese labourers from Samoa was required by the terms of their contracts, which expired some time ago. They were given the choice of remaining or leaving, and 126 elected to return to China. Eighty others decided to make Samoa their home. Shipping difficulties had made it impossible until within the last two months to arrange transporta tion for those wishing to return. Repatriation at the moment was somewhat inconvenient to cocoa planters, but the possibility of securing another shin for transportation in the near future was verv remote. -

Displaced Persons.— Mr McLaga*n, replying to Mr D. M. Rae (Opposition, Parnell), said the question of accept-

ing lor settlement in New Zealand displaced persons now in camps operated by the International Refugee Organisation in Germany would be discussed with Wing Commander R. Innis, director of resettlement for the International Refugee Organisation. Fitness of Waterside Workers.— Mr McLagan. replying to Mr W. H. Fortune (Ooposition. Eden), said an order of the Waterfront Industry Commission Drov i < les that oersons admitted to the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union should be physically fit to undertake waterside work. Aerodromes.— The Minister in charge of the Air Denartment (Mr F. Jones), reply in? to Mr Clvde Carr (Government, Timaru). said the aerodromes committee could not yet report to the Government. Its recommendations might be affected to some extent by the advice of the British civil aviation mission. Two members of th° committee. Sir Leonard Isitt and Mr E. R. McKillop. were now abroad. A statement of Government nolicy on the ownership and control of airports would be made when a decision had been reached.