QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29240, 25 June 1960, Page 14

QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE

Militant Unions, Petrol Prices

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. June 24.

At question time in the House of Representatives today Mr J? J. Maher (Opposition. Otaki) asked the Minister of Labour (Mr Hackett) if he would “promise to take a tougher line in future with leaders of unions who. by militant action, threaten New Zealand’s vital export industries.”

In a note to his question Mr Maher said that already this year, industrial strife had upset planned exports in the meat industry and in the pulp and paper industry. Two questions were asked of the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Holloway).

Mr G. G. Grieve (Opposition, Awarua) asked if in view of a reported surplus of both oil and tanker capacity with a consequent reduction in price in the United Kingdom, New Zealand could confidently expect those conditions would soon lead to a similar reduction in this country, and Mr N L. Shelton (Opposition, Rangitikei) asked if the Minister was aware of the sharp rise in the price of potatoes and what steps he was taking to ensure an adequate supply to the public at reasonable prices.

The Minister of Education (Mr Skoglund) was asked by Mr T. T: Murray (Opposition, Stratford) if he would formulate a clear policy on fire-fighting equipment for New Zealand schools and ensure that it was both provided and maintained.

Drawing attention in a note to the fact that some accommodation agencies who charged a fee. generally in excess of £2 for each inquiry, and supplied incorrect and bogus information to clients who had no redress. Mr W. W. Freer (Government. Mount Albert) asked Mr Hackett if he would instruct his departmental officers to make a thorough investigation into the activities and credentials of agencies operating in the larger centres to ensure that clients received adequate protection.