U.N. ASSEMBLY

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28973, 14 August 1959, Page 12

U.N. ASSEMBLY

Mr Nash Asked About Plans

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 13. Two questions directed to the Prime Minister and Minister of External Affairs (Mr Nash) in the House of Representatives today sought information on whether he would attend the General Assembly of the United Nations at New York on September 15. Mr G. A. Walsh (Opposition. Tauranga) asked whether the Prime Minister was in a position to say that New Zealand would be represented at the meeting by himself or another Cabinet Minister.

Mr W. A. Sheat (Opposition. Egmont) asked if the Prime Minister had read a report that the Minister of Finance (Mr Nordmeyer) was not likely to visit London (for a meeting of Commonwealth Finance Ministers' and that "with the Prime Minister expected to lead the New Zealand delegation to the United Nations General Assembly, which opens in New York on September 15, it is understood Mr Nordmeyer feels it is impossible for him to be out of the country at the same time.” Mr Sheat asked whether that statement could be accepted as an official announcement that now the estimates for the Department of External Affairs had been passed, the Prime Minister had decided to attend the General Assembly. Mr Nash: The first I’ve heard of the proposal was when I read it in the press. Living Costs

Mr D. C. Seath (Opposition. Waitomo) asked the Minister of Finance whether he was aware that costs of living were rising so rapidly as to have forced a revision of a general wage application during the currency of its hearing. “How does the Government intend to prevent such increases?” asked Mr Seath.

Mr W. S. Goosman (Opposition. Piako) asked the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Holloway) whether the Government, in giving consideration to the proposal for the establishment of an oil refinery in New Zealand, could assure the people that there would be no increase in the cost of petroleum products to the consumer.

“At present, direct shipments are unloaded at all main ports in the Dominion, but the establishment of a refinery would involve reshipment from the refinery to all the main ports, with some consequential increase in cost,” said Mr Goosman, in a note to the question.