PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 23950, 30 July 1941, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

SUBSET CEEATE CMTIHUEO BRITAIN'S CHEESE PAYMENT (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July £9. The new member for Waiteraala, Mi’s M. M Drearer, who was elected at the recent by-elcetion to lilt the vacancy caused by the death in action of Captain Lyon, was sworn in when the House met at 2.30 p.m, to-day. Her sponsors were the Government Whips, Messrs O’Bncu and .Richards, In notice of a question to the Minister of Industries and Commerce Air Holland asked if the Minister would inform the House whether representations had been made to Sir Ronald Charles, of the British Aluminium Company, or the United Kingdom Government regarding tho potentialities of New Zealand for tho production of aluminium and other light metals in the Dominion. Mr Hodgens also gave notice to ask tho same Minister if his attention had been drawn to tlio disturbing effect on tho building industry of the present prices of roofing material. Mr Hodgens said that a roof that could bo covered for £l5O in corrugated iron would cost in corrugated asbestos £193, while the cost in tiles would ho £260. A resolution of protest by tho New Zealand Law Society regarding the passing of the Small Farms Amendment Act was raised by Mr Poison in notice of a question to the Acting Prime Minister. He asked Mr Nash if he had received a- copy of the resolution, and whether he would inform tho House of its terms. He also asked if the Acting Prime Minister would state tho principles on which suppression of important criticism was based if he decided not to inform the House of the tenor of the resolution, and also whether it was intended to extend these principles to other than war subjects. The price paid by the British Government to New Zealand and Australia for cheese manufactured in those countries was raised in an urgent question by Mr Wilkinson to the Alinister of Marketing, Air Barclay. Air Wilkinson asked if tho New Zealand Government were aware that a statement had been made I by a member of .the Australian Dairy Board to the effect that he con 1;I advise tho industry it was confidently anticipated that the British Government would grant an increase in the price of cheese to Australia of os 9d per cwt. Air Wilkinson also asked in the event of the extra price being paid to New Zealand how the Government proposed to deal with it in tho way of distribution to the farmers, etc. The Minister, in reply, said no official announcement had yet been made by the Australian Government on the matter. However, negotiations between Britain and New Zealand were not yet completed, but if such increase were given to Australia the New Zealand Government was confident a similar increase would be given to New Zealand. Tho Minister said any such\ increase would be granted by the Ministry of Food solely as recognition for the increased quantities of cheese. New Zealand’s liabilities in this direction to date were approximately £1,000,000, and covered a grant to individual suppliers making the change over from butter to cheese £BO,OOO, tho cost of tho purchase of whey butter. which could be sold to Britain £450,000, subsidy for cheese crates £30,000, for the provision of plant and equipment for cheese factory employees £200,000, and , compensation to the butter and cheese factories for increased costs due to the change-over amounting to £125,000. Tho Alinister added that if an increased price were paid by Britain, 5s Del per cwt would barely cover tho liabilities he had indicated. As soon as negotiations were completed a public announcement would be made, and if any increase were given it would bo considered in relation to the whole question of the change-over from butter to cheese, and the additional costs in this connection. BUDGET DEBATE. Continuing tho Budget debate, Air Can* spoke of housing conditions in Auckland, and contrasted what past administrations had done in this direction with tho policy of the present Government. The Leader of the Opposition had said that State tenants should have the right to own their homes. If such a policy were to be adopted he would like Air Holland to assure the workers that if he reached the Treasury Benches he would refuse to adopt a system of wage cuts, so that State tenants would not be forced to lose their homes. Speaking of tho rehabilitation of tho men coming back from the present war, Air Carr said everything possible must be done for them, and they must not bo allowed to buy land at double or treble its value, as happened after the last war. They should avoid the ghastly failures of tho policy after tho last war. and ho commended as a start in the present Government’s policy tho Small Farms Act. Air Alunro said that all the Budgets, that had been brought down by the present Alinister of Finance had defeated criticism. He felt sorry for the Opposition, for ho realised that they had to put up some sort of debate, but ho also recognised that this was mostly camouflage. It would always bo found that the Opposition would run away as they had done on this occasion. Tho real party in Opposition was outside the House, and consisted of a clique representing vested interests. Air Combs declared that tho 40-hour week stood-unassailed, and that those who were asking for extended hours were doing so only, in order to make greater profits. He appealed for more consideration for tho workers who were working extended hours. These men, ho said, often had to breakfast at 6 a.m. in order to get to work, and many of them worked through till 8 p.m. It was 9 o'clock before they were able to reach their homes, and they deserved extra consideration for their long day’s work. It would pay members of chambers of commerce who railed at the workers for asking extra pay for extra hours to study this problem. They might bo better occupied devising ways for tho men to get proper meals and rest All credit was duo to the men who answered the call for extra hours, and instead of giving them abuse the members of chambers of commerce should try to be fair to them. RISING PRICES. Criticising the rising prices of commodities, Air Wilkinson declared that they were getting higher and higher. New Zealand was in a bad way owing to lack of essential goods, brought about by Government restrictions. The Price Investigation Tribunal bad done good work, but be beFovetf that <■"’ every pound saved by the tribunal £lO had been lost because when tuey iu.c in a position to get overseas goods the importers were not allowed to bring them in. Mr Wilkinson said he was in accord with the Minister's policy of paying for the war as if proceeded, hut lie issued a warning against the

dangers of inflation. There was justification for borrowing in war time. Tho Minister of Mr Jones, reviewed tho work ot the Navy, Army, and Air Force. (This is reported elsewhere.) , ~ ~ A high tribute to the men of the Maori Battalion overseas was paid by Air Paikea. who expressed pride m its war record Registrations for the Maori Battalion totalled 4,588, and a further 121 registrations had come forward after he had agreed to tako up war effort work among the Maoris. He uraecl that when the men were registered thev should be put into training straight away. The machinery for tho defence of the country should be prepared now. he said. Mr Barrell expressed the view that the Government had given an example of unity in the offer it had made to the Opposition. Mr Holland, he said, should join tho War Council, and do his duty to the people he represented. Tho debate was Mitermpted by the adjournment at 10.30 p.m.. when the House rose until 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.