QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28699, 24 September 1958, Page 14

QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE

Import Schedule For 1959 (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, Sept. 23. The 1959 import licensing schedule would be issued early in October, but it would not be possible to provide an over-all increased allocation for imports next year, the Minister of Customs (Mr Boord) told the House of Representatives today, in reply to an urgent question asked by Mr W. J. Scott (Opposition, Rodney). Mr Scott said concern was being expressed over the delay of nearly two months in the announcement of import allocations of raw materials and consumer goods. Mr Boord, in his reply, said that after the 1958 schedule was announced on January 1 last, the country was faced with a further severe fall in export prices, and. the position had only been held by heavy overseas borrowing. That situation had necessitated a very careful appraisal of financial resources for 1959, and had only recently permitted the Government to consider the sch-'ule which had been in the course of preparation. The Prime Minister (Mr Nash) was asked by Mr Scott when the report, of the Royal Commission on Local Body Finance was likely to be made public. Mr F.L. A. Gotz (Opposition, Manukau) asked the Minister of Forests (Mr Tirikatene) what was the number of deer found dead in Caples Valley as a result of the recent poisoning with 1080 and whether the Forestry Department was satisfied that no harm to human beings was likely to ensue from the use of 1080.

Mr A. E. Allen (Opposition, Franklin) asked the Minister of Housing (Mr Fox) whether it was now the policy of the State Advances Corporation to decline applications for housing loans where the value of the proposed home was above a certain figure, and. if so, would he state the maximum value allowed before a loan would be granted. ■