PARLIAMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 July 1930, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS,

[special to “stab.”]

WELLINGTON, July 25.

The House devoted itself at today.’s sitting to discussion on Ministerial replies to questions in the morning, and progress on the private members’ Bills in the afternoon. Mr Langstone’s Bank of New Zealand Amendment Bill, and Mr Lysnar’s Meat Export Control Amendment Bill were read a second time. Urgency was accorded the Rent Restriction Bill, a Government measure to the new expiring Act, and it was passed after a brief discussion.

'TIMBER IMPORTS. In reply, to a question by Mr J. O’Brien, Mr Forbes said the question as to the steps which should be taken tqf.place the timber industry on a satisfactory footing, whether by way of increased Customs duty or otherwise, has been and is still receiving the consideration of the Government. “I shall be much obliged however, if the member will supply such particulars as will enable inquiries to be made as to dumping into New Zealand at prices with which the local sawmillers cannot compete, of shipments of Oregon pine prohibited from landing in Australia, through the tariff in force there. RAILWAY MAGAZINE. Mr Veitch informed Mr O’Brien that the question of the discontinuance of the publication of the Railway Magazine is at present receiving the consideration of the Government. IMPORTED ENGINES. The confession that so far the Garratt engines imported from England have not proved'satisfactory was made by Mr Veitch. One has been brought to Wellingi ton, where, he said, careful tests and experiments are being carried out. Every effort is being made to overcome the difficulties, and he said there is reason to hope that they can be made to fulfil their purpose. RELIEF WORKS. Several questions regarding relief works were answered. Mr Polson asked the Minister of Public Works whether having an eye to , economy, the Government would differentiate between the wages paid to single men without dependents upon relief works, as compared with married men.

Mr Taverner replied that it was not proposed to make any alteration at present. . Single men were only engaged after the needs of married men for employment hhd been satisfied, and then only for comparatively short periods. ' ' Mr. Polson also asked'the Minister of Public Works whether he would bring down an amendment of the Act to permit of relief works being pro'scented on roads which had been proclaimed highways. <, . ‘‘No amendment of the Act is necessary,” Mr Taverner replied. “Relief works are and have been for some years carried out on highways. In tlje first two months of this financial year, over £50,000 was spent on relief works on main highways.” Mr J. O’Brien asked the Ministei* of Education whether .he . would take steps immediately to put in hand all authorised and contemplated works in connection with school buildings and improvements, so as to relieve the present unemployment. Mr Atmore replied that the suggestion was not practicable. “Funds at my disposal for the current financial year,” he said, “are limited, and already a considerable amount has been expended. I am, however, authorising as much work as possible having regard to the money available, in preparation of school sites. Where there has been a considerable amount of excavation work to be done, I have ar ranged for this to be undei taken as unemployed work.”

‘ STATE ADVANCES. Replying to a. question by M, Wright, Mr Forbes replied: “The State Advances Department has not abandoned the policy of advancing to workers 95 per cent ,of the value oi land and building offered as security for a loan, and the Department is not aware that many applicants for loans are offered considerably less than 95 per cent of their security. In every case where a valuation has been made, and the security offered has been considered satisfactory, the Board of the Office authorises the full amount of advance allowed by the limitations of the State Advances Act.” STATE FORESTRY. “It has been decided that trees will not be supplied to the public from State Nurseries'after the,1930 planting season, and instructions have been issued accordingly,” so the Commissioner of Forests (Mr Ransom) informed Mr Martini The decision is in accordance with the general-policy of the Government to engage as little as possible in business competition with private com mercial interests. No special provision has ben made to regulate the prices of nursery stock. 11 is consid ered that ordinary business competition will be sufficient to prevent excessive prices being charged. If any exploitation of the public occurs, then the policy will be reviewed.