FOREIGN SHIPPING

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 121, 15 February 1935, Page 12

FOREIGN SHIPPING

Subsidised Competition in Pacific CONFERENCES GOING ON The inability of New Zealand ships to compete against the heavily subsidised foreign ships trading between New Zealand and Australia was mentioned by Mr. W. J. Jordan (Lab., Manukau) in a question addressed to the Minister of Marine, Hon, J. G. Cobbe, in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr. Jordan asked the Minister whether he would at an early date introduce legislation or take other steps prohibiting foreign subsidised shipping from carrying passengers and goods between New Zealand ports to ports of other British countries.

Mr. Cobbe replied that conferences had taken place between the Governments concerned. These were still proceeding and until finality had been reached it was not possible to indicate the extent of any action that might be taken.

WORK AT NAVAL BASE

Engagement of Labour An allegation that the most competent men were not given work at the Devonport haval base was made by Mr. A. S. Richards (Lab., Roskill) in the House of Representatives yesterday. The Minister of Defence, Hon. J. G. Cobbe, doubted the correctness of the statement, but promised an investigation into the complaint. Mr. Richards asked whether the Minister would inquire into the selection of the men. He said several men who had had 20 years’ experience in dockyards in the Old World and who were employed at the Devonport naval base for some time, were told they had given every satisfaction in conduct and workmanship by the officers in charge, but now they could not obtain employment. Mr. Cobbe said authority was issued to the naval authorities to employ the' qualified men necessary for the work being undertaken at the base. It was difficult to appreciate the statement that competent men could not obtain employment while others less competent were being employed. However, inquiries would be made into the complaint.; No representations on the question had been made by Mr. Harris, who represented the district. Given leave to make a statement, Mr. A. Harris (Govt., Waitemata) said representations on the subject were made to him quite recently, and, accompanied by the Mayor of Devonport he had interviewed Commander Brooke, of the Philomel. As a result of the investigation he was satisfied the greatest possible consideration was given to local labour applying at the naval base.

SCHOOL HOSTELS

Classrooms Have Preference “Owing to the limited fund? available for the erection of school buildings and additions it is not possible to set aside money for increasing hostel accommo--dation,” said the Minister of Education. Hon. S. G. Smith, in the House of Representatives yesterday, in replying to a question by Mr. A. S. Richards (Lab., Roskill). who sought a grant of £BOO for dormitory additions and alterations to the sanitary block at'the Mount Albert Grammar School. The Minister also said that at many secondary schools the hostel accommodation was very much in excess of requirements, and for that reason the Government had hesitated to provide for further expenditure in that direction. Applications for actual classroom accommodation must be given preference.