POLITICAL POINTS

Evening Star, Issue 21835, 26 September 1934, Page 3

POLITICAL POINTS

CSST OF TRANSPORT TO GAMPS [From Oor Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 25. The Minister of Employment has answered the request of Mr F Jones that the Unemployment Board pay the cost of the transport of relief workers to the various camps and also provide some assistance towards the upkeep of their wives and families during the first four weeks. Mr Jones added that the cost of transport to Lake Te Anau camp is £1 10s, deducted from the workers’ pay. This leaves very little for the maintenance of these men, their wives and families. A recent case was reported from Dunedin, where a woman with three children received 11s 6d as her share of her husband’s fortnight’s pay. The Minister replied that arrangements are in train whercunder the Unemployment Board will bear the cost of the rail fares of relief workers who, having been continuously on relief for twenty-six weeks, proceed to a subsidised camp and remain there not less than one month. ■k *' * * SMOKE BOMBS. The utility of smoke bombs in frost damage prevention is the subject pf a statement by the Minister of Agriculture in reply to Mr Bodkin. In 1928 a small consignment of smoke bombs was secured for experimental purposes in Central Otago, but the results were not encouraging. The use of this method of frost fighting is evidently limited to light white frosts, the smoko screen being very light and easily dispersed by wind. The cost of a charge, which in two hours and ahalf covers from 22 to 25 .acres with a screen from 30ft to 40ft in height, is £4 17s 9d at the present exchange rate. It is thus costly for individual growers owning small areas. * * * * HONEY CONTROL. No indication can yet be given by tbe Minister of Agriculture (Mr Macmillan) as to the course the Government will take regarding requests for legislation for the control of grades and prices of honey on the local market. Mr Macmillan informed Mr Poison (Stratford) that the position of the honey industry was having special attention ami investigation, and a conference with the Honey Control Board had been arranged for the earliest date the board could meet in Wellington. * » * * LOCAL , BODY PRINTING, It is not Hie intention of the Government to enter into competition for local body printing, according to a statement made in the House by the Minister in charge of the printing office, Mr Young. He mentioned that the office was doing the great bulk of the printing work for Government Departments, a small amount only being carried out by private firms. * * * * WELLINGTON NORTH SEAT, Although announced as a Reform candidate, Mr C. A. L. Treadwell is nob tlie official Government selection for Wellington North, judging by a statement made in the House by the Minister of Health, Mr Young. A member had inquired whether a statement, reported to be made by Mr Treadwell, meant that a further diminution of the State’s share of responsibility was to be the Government’s policy regarding dental clinics. “ I have noted the report referred to,” replied the Minister. “ I am not aware that there is at present a Government candidate for Wellington North electorate, nor that the school dental service is overdone. Furthermore, 1 am not responsible for whatever inferences you may take from tlie report mentioned/’ » * * * TELEGRAPHIC RATING. The incidence of the present system of telegraph rating is to be reviewed at an early date, according to a statement made in the House on behalf of the Postmaster-General (Mr Hamilton). The Minister intimated that when a review was undertaken, the correction of any anomalies would be given attention.