QUESTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1531, 29 August 1912, Page 6

QUESTIONS.

AN ACT FOR SPECULATORS. j LAND SETTLEMENT FINANCE. ! Mr. E. Newman (Rangitikci) asked the Pmno Minister: Whether the Government < will tnke such stops, by legislation or . otherwise, m connection with the Land s Settlement Finance Act, as may be neees- ( Gary to prevent that Act being used as a 1 means ol iaiui speculation by persons who, t having ii l( . (Hvernmeht guarantee tehind c them, arc prepared to gamble in 'land- ] values, wiiii Ihe result that large profits may be itemed to speculator's without i risk to themselves and to the serious disadvantage of the settlers. ultimately oc- i cupying the land? t The Hon. Mr. ilnssey (Prime Minister) replied. An amending Act is being prepared, in which further safeguards will bo provided tn prevent speculation in . lands dealt with, unoer the Land Keltic- i nient Finance Act. , ( GOVERNMENT SAWMILLS. ; In reply to a riuestion by Mr. Veitch I: Hint timber for the erection of workers' ' dwellings be supplied ,nt price by tho i Government sawmills, the Hon. the Prime | Minister said:—"Workers' dwelling are c creeled by tender and built, in accordance c with specifications prepared before the \ t/ende.r-. ore caller!. Tbn of \ tke State sasimilli it to p.rovid«" for the

iff)nireinenls of the Railway Department, nnd so far n> the surplus timber i? concerned, it is disposed of by salo at prices fixed according to the class of timber. The sawmill has to bo worked as a commercial undertaking, and if the (jovoTniiient decided that timber was to ba purchased therefrom, it would require to be liaiil for at. the prices ruling at the time, tnd no guarantee could be given that the. Shilo <nwmilt would .be able lo supply tho demand." EGMONT ELECTION. ' Mr. (i. W. RufFcll (Avon) asked the Prims Minister whether, referring (o his promise lo a deputation on August 22 to visit the Kgtiiont electorate, accompanied by the Minister for Public Works, at an early dale, in conned ion with the route of the Opiinnko railway, as recommended by the lato l'oyal Commission, lu will consider (he de.-irabilify, in (he interests of pure government, of holding over such visit, until' after the forthcoming election for that district. Mr. Russell added: Tho railway, I learn, is a necessary one, and gives promise of being a sound investment. The Hon. AW F. Mnssey (Prime Minister) replied: The date of tho visit of tho Prime Minister and Minister for Public Works to the districts affected by tho proposed Opunako railway has not be-on fixed. Their visit is not intended to influence the election referred to in any wily, . FARM LABOURERS. Mr. G. T. Anderson (Mataura) asked the Government whether they will take into favourable consideration the question of emigration of farm labourers from Great Britain to New Zealand, and, .if possible, provide the saino facilities as are at present in force for .the emigration of domestic servants from the Homo land. He added by way of explanation: Domestic servants are conveyed to New Zealand from Great Britain for £2 165., while the cheapest fare for agricultural labourers is .£B. The farming community is crying out for the services of experienced farm work- I er?, and many such, who have not sufficient money to pay the present fare, are available in Great Britain. The Hon. W. F. Massey (Prime Minister) replied: This question has already been considered by the Government, aud discussed with the High Commissioner before his departure from New Zealand. The High Commissioner stated that such reduction of fares in the case of agricultural labourers would probably have to be made, and was informed that if on inquiry in Englaud he found that necessary, Parliament would be asked to make provision accordingly. POOR TEACHERS' WIDOWS. Mr. G. WITTY (Riccarton) asked tho Minister for Education whether ho will propo;e an amendment lo the Teachers' Superannuation Act increasing the annuity to widows of school-teachers from £18 to .S2b per annum. Thi' Hon. J. ALLEN (Minister' for Education) replied: The" Government fully recojnif.es the smallncss of the provision made for the widows of contributors both in.the Tcachors ; and in the Public Service Superannuation Schemes, and the miction will ba considered. At the same time it should be'remembered that further concessions cannot be given, without reducing the present benefits or affeotine tho stability of the funds, or increasing the burden on the consolidated revenue which is already very considerable. OLD AGE PENSIONS. Mr. A. GLOVER (Auckland Central) asked the Minister in charge of old ago pensions whether he would make" arrangements whereby recipients of the pension could have their'monthly instalments posted to them by cheque or otherwise, instead : of' their having to call''" every month at the post .office. ■-' '■ >'.' ' The Hon. F. M: B. FISHER (Minister in charge of old age pensions) replied that it was not proposed to make any alteration in tho prespnt method of "payment of old-age pensions. If a pensioner was unable, through infirmity, to collect instalments without inconvenience, an agent might ba appointed.