PRICE OF PETROL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 255, 22 July 1920, Page 6

PRICE OF PETROL

A MEMBER AND THE PROFITEERS.

The price of petrol in California, oven in remote parts, is 2o cents a gallon, said Mr. T. M. Wilford tflutt) in tho Houso of Representatives yesterday. Mr. Wilford asked the Prime Minister to inquire why the price cf petrol in New Zoailand was 60 very much higher than in' the United States. Somebody was profiteering and tho Government ought to diwover why it\ was.

Mr. Mnssey said that the Board of Trade had given much attention lo tho subject. Petrol had been in short supply in New Zealand for six months. A shortage existed in the United States, and somo Americans were anticipating the prohibition of export. Ho would bo sorry if anything of the kind happened, since tho New Zealand Government bad net been able to discover a sufficient supply of petrol elsewhere. Inquiries were still proceeding. He would 1 o willing to arrange for tho shipping of petrol if that was possible. Tho effort of the Government so far had been to encourago the importation of petrol, lie was wondering what would happen when tho milking season commenced and the dairyfarmeTs required large quantities of petrol. Tho Government would do everything possible to relieve the position, but some difficulties were insuperable.

Mr. Wilford remarked thnt the Dominion imported petrol in the meet expensive possiblo way, in cases. Petrol ought to be moved and stored in bulk.

EXPORT OF MEAT REFORM PROPOSALS. The following question of interest to producers of meat for export was asked of the Primo Minister by Mr. G. Hunter, member for Waipawa: Whether the Government will consider tho ndvisabill ity of passing legislation to provide for I a universal system as to the dressing of carcasses of multon and beef for export; and for a uniform custom of weighing and the deductions to be allowed for lost weiflitP Mr. Masso^ replied: The matters referred to are being gone into at tho present timo. and when the inquiries which are being made are completed the question of tho tnkinff of definite action will be considered. rimutakTridges PROPOSAL TO PLANT THEM. Tho proposal that the bare tops of the Rimutaka range should be plnnted with trees wns made to the Government by Mr. AV. H. F'elil in the Houso of Representatives. Mr. Field asked the Government: Whether, bearing in mind tho urgent need of planting timber trees to supply the future wants of the Dominion, they will ialce in hand the reafforestation with Dines or other euitaMo _ tree? of those large areas of waste hill land on the slopes of the Rimutaka, range and the hills overlooking the Hutt Valley, tho original native beech forest whereon has been destroyed, and which is now rapidly) becoming covered with gorse, broom, and blackberry?

Mr. Guthrie (for the Commissioner of State Forests) replied: The Forestry Department are at present making a preliminary examination of the forests and areas suitable for afforestation, Tho waste hill-slopes of the Rimiitaka will receive careful attention, along with other areas in the Dominion, when the proposals for tho utilisation of these waste areas are being considered. The general economic aspects must be considered nnd the position viewed from a general nnd not a. parochial standpoint. It will be necessary to consider each particular area in relation to the whole.

WELLINGTON SCHOOLS QUESTIONS AND THE MINISTER. The need for new school at Miramar South was mentioned in the House yesterday by tho member for Wellington Suburbs (Mr. R. A. Wright). Ho asked the Minister of Education whether he was aware of tho urgent need <rf n. new school nt this place, and, if so, would ho provide the Education Board with the necessary sum to construct tho building immediately. The congestion-in the school, ho said, was very serious, and tho Department had been compelled to hire several buildings to accommodate children -at Mirnmar and Marcmni. Tho Education Department had already purchased an ares of land for tho purpose of erecting a. building thereon. The Minister of Education (Mr, Parr) said that ho reeogniwd that the circumstances mentioned indicate tbo necessity for a now school in the district. He was now gotting the papers connected with tile matter together, and ho would probably present an application to Cabinet within tho next week or two for the necessary grant. Dr. Newman asked _ the Minister whether, when he was bringing questions about Wellington schools before Cabinet, he would remember tho interests of the Clvdo Quay School. Mr. Parr said that this school was being provided for. Already n new site had been obtained, and plans had been prepared for an infant school on Hint site. The old school .at Clyde Quay ultimately must bo abandoned, and a new main school built on the new site. Ao doubt tho Board of Education would bring before the Deiwrtment, nnd he before Cabinet, plans for this new school. At the present moment nlnns were bem* prepared for a new infant school, and so soon as theso plans were before him no time would be lost in bringing iliosc plana before Cabinet.

QUESTIONS REPLIES IN BRIEF. The Prime Minister stated yesterday tlmt tho House would have an opportunity during the present session of considering legislation to make provision for tho construction of light, narrow gauge railways. Tho question of prohibiting the sale of tobacconists' goods by proprietors of marblo bars and refreshment rooms after tho hours fixed for the closing of tobacconists' shops is now receiving attention from the Government. In reply to a suggestion that the regulations relating to tho letting of houses should bo repealed, on the pound that tho regulations discouraged the building of houses for letting purposes, Sir. Mass«v made tho following statement: It is not intended to remove these regulations at present. It may be pointed out that tho restriction of Tent to 8 per cent, on the capital value does not apply to new houses. It is the intention of tho Government to introduce legislation this session amonding the Sousing j\ct to enable local Wies ito 'purekaste Innd, ferect buildings, and to purchase bv.ildings already erected. Tho Government is ' considering a scheme whereby persjns who ere not in a position to pay tho ordinary fees for medical and nursing -ittendance nay benefit by a system of outdoor medical and nursing treatment under the direction of tho hospital boards. Legislation will be brought :!<>wn tills session to further restrict the landing of Chinese and Hindus in New Zealand. A Bill to amend the patents laws is In the hands of the law draftsman, and will bo introduced in tlw House as soon as the measure has been completed. The Board of Trade Is Investigating mattors relating to the selling of hitlos and calfskins, and when inquiries havo been completed tho question of the discontinuance of the privilege now given to tanners of taking any lot at the final bid will bo considered, SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY Tli'o Minister of Labour (Sir William Hemes) announced yesterday that the Government has no intention of introducing legislation to mako the Saturday half-holiday compulsory. "It is not proposed," ho said, "to introduce legislation in tho direction suggested until tliero is a general desire for it throughout tho Dominion. The present position is that out of 872 districts concerned, only sixty-four 'olyervo Saturday, whilo twenty-ono others hare urged tho adoption of Saturday as a universal day.