BUDGET OF QUESTIONS ASKED AND ANSWERED IN HOUSE

Evening Star, Issue 26155, 17 July 1947, Page 8

BUDGET OF QUESTIONS ASKED AND ANSWERED IN HOUSE

(Special.) WELLINGTbN, July 17. jf there was any emergency in the Solomon Islands, which had been very loyal, New Zealand would do the best it could to help, said the Prime Minister and Minister of External Affairs, Mr Fraser, in the House of Representatives to-day in reply to Mr It. M. Algie (Nat., Remuera), who had asked whether 'Mr Fraser’s attention had been drawn to reports of economic and other difficulties being faced by the Islanders. Mr Fraser said it was a duty and a desire to ascertain the facts from the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific. The information so far was that there had been misstatements and exaggerations, but there had not been sufficient information on which to form an opinion. What did the Minister of Marine intend to do to reduce the incidence of desertion from ships in New Zealand? asked Mr J. R. Marshall (Nat., Mount Victoria), when giving notice of a question on the subject. He called the attention of the Minister to the remarks of Mr J. L. Stout, S.M.. to the effect that the number of' deserters .from"ships in New Zealand was about. 1.000 each year. Mr Marshall also asked if any considerable number of those who deserted at the end of the war had remained in New Zealand. NO PRIORITY PASSAGE. Inquiries had failed to locate any person who had improperly obtained a priority flight in the manner indicated in the question, stated the Minister in Charge of Civil Aviation, Mr F. Jones, in a 4 written reply to an inquiry by Dr A. M. Finlay .(Govt., North Shore). He had drawn the Minister’s attention to the boast of a man who claimed that he had obtained a priority flight to Australia on presentation of a doctor’s corticate, whereas his journey was made for the sole purpose of backing a horse. FAMILY BENEFIT DISCONTINUED. The Social Security Commission had found it necessary to discontinue the family benefit in a few -cases because the children had not been attending school, stated the Minister in Charge of Social Security, Mr W. E. Parry, in roply to a question by Mr E. P. Aderman (Nat, New Plymouth). ■ The Minister said that as a.result of representations from various education boards and other authorities, and acting in accordance with the provisions of the Social Security Act, the Social Security Commission had warned a number of parents that if the attendance of their children at school continued to be irregular for no good and sufficient reason, the commission might have to consider the question of terminating the family benefit granted .in respect of the children. Discontinuing the benefit for the reason of non-at-tendance was carefully investigated. CHILDREN’S APPAREL. Everything .was being done; to. ensure that the maximum quantities of baby wear and infants’ materials were available, stated the Minister of Supply, Mr A. H. Nordmeyer, in reply to a question by Mr C. G. E. Barker (Nat., Hawke’s Bay). The Minister added that adequate import licenses had been granted, and every assistance was being given to importers to secure these goods. “ With the exception of cot blankets and flannel, all materials are imported from overseas, principally from the United Kingdom, ; and labour shortages there, together with other conditions, have prevented suppliers from fulfilling New Zealand’s orders to the extent necessary to meet requirements.” the Minister said. 11 I have recently instructed overseas officers of my department to make further representations on the highest level with a view to securing more of these goods, and I am hopeful that this will result in our obtaining better supplies. So far as cot blankets and flannel, which are manufactured by our own mills, are concerned, the shortage of labour •is the limiting factor, apd I am unable to give anv indication when an improvement will be realised.”