PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 21784, 28 July 1934, Page 24

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON. July 27. The House sat at 2.30 pAnA .Mi W. J. Broadlbof (Waitomo) asked, toe Minister of Transport if the Government would consider the question of preventing the heavy cost involved iu overseas steamers calling at so many ports for cargo.--Mr Coates replied that the question bad already been referred to the Transport Co-ordi-nation Board. The board bad arranged to bold an inquiry in Wellington next week. The board would report to the Government. Replying, to a 'further ( uestion by Mr Broadfoot, Mr Macmillan said the Government had in Hand the preparation of arrangements iinoer which an linpioveinent upon the previous condi--tioiis in connection with ragwort control and destruction' would be brought about. An additional item of £5,000 would be provided.on the main agricultural estimates to be used as a subsidy in a manner similar to the subsidy on fertilisers. More ample provision for clearing Crown. and Native lands was also being made. . MEAT EXPORT BILL. The debate on the second reading of the Meat Export Control Bill (Mr W. J. Poison) was resinned. The Minister of Agriculture (Air Macmillan) said' his promise that the Government would adopt the measure would be redeemed. Mi J. Connolly (Mid-Canterbury) said that local freezing companies must be protected, if any quota were imposed it must be at the expense of oversea concerns. Mr A. Stuart (Rangitikei) said lie had never been refused space in freezing works. He knew of no one who had. Itr seemed to him that the Bill protected trusts more than otherwise. Provided the Government kept control of trusts and did not allow them to become too big, competition would be in the interests of the country. Mr F. Langstone (Waimarino) said that big trusts did not mind one or two farmers freezing on.their own account, but if the fanners were to organise the companies would adopt a different attitude. Mr W. A. Bodkin (Central Otago) said he thought that too much that should go to the farmer was eaten up by overhead charges, if a freer hand were given to big trusts the overhead costs would be reduced, and the farmer would secure a greater, return. He considered that the Government shoujd hesitate before olaeing undue power in the hands of t,be Meat Board. The Bill was read a second time. Mr Poison then asked that as the Government was bringing down a .similar measure his Dill should be withdrawn. ' Other issues debated arc reported under separate headings.