MINISTERIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 December 1935, Page 7

MINISTERIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

WHEAT MARKETING NEW COMMITTEE APPOINTED [per press association.] CHRISTCHURCH, December 14. Mr. D. G. Sullivan announced, today. that the Government had decided to set up a Wheat Committee to function during the 1935-36 season, to ensure orderly marketing, as has been the case during the past three rears, when the Wheat Purchase Board was in control. Certain modifications had been made in the constitution of the Committee, as compared with the. Board, and a new departure is the appointment of “free” flour millers’ representatives. The Minister of Industries and Commerce, will be chairman of the committee, and the previous chairman of the Wheat Purchase Board, Mr. Schmitt, secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce, will be deputy chairman. In addition to “free” millers, there will be representatives of the South Island' Wheatgrowers and flourmillers, the North Island wheatgrowers and flourmillers.

The Committee will deal with the 1935-36 wheat crop along similar lines to those followed by the Wheat Purchase Board in 1934-35 season, and in each of the two preceding seasons. Mr. Sullivan emphasised that the Government had not yet had the opportunity of considering the question of control of the wheat industry, either in relation to its scheme of guaranteed prices, or to its policy concerning the operation of product boards generally. Before next season, the Government would have ample time to consider its policy in regard to guarantied prices and the possible application of its scheme to the wheat industry.

PACIFIC SHIPPING. WELLINGTON, December 13. A brief statement was made by the Prime Minister, Mr. M. J. Savage, on the cabled message that the Peninsular and Orient Steam Navigation Company has decided to withdraw its service of Empire ships from the Pacific routes between North America and New Zealand and Australia. Mr. Savage said: “This decision was entirely due to the disastrous effect of highly-subsidised foreign competition. The Government will co-operate with Australia on the question of deciding a policy. More than that cannot be said at the moment. It appears that the question has been under the consideration of the various Governments concerned for some time past, but no finality has been reached. The matter will be given consideration by the New Zealand Government.” TOWN PLANNING. WELLINGTON, December 13. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. W. E. Parry, stated to-day that recent meetings of the Town Planning Board had been held for the purpose of renewing certain town planning schemes submitted, or in course of preparation, and of dealing with other business arising for the Board’s consideration. The Timaru scheme, he said had been approved. Further progress had been made on the Christchurch scheme. Other schemes before the board were the Papatoetoe and Dannevirke proposals. The Board also dealt with certain appeals.

CHRISTMAS BONUS. WELLINGTON, December 13. A grant of £20,000 as a Christmas bonus for the recipients of outdoor relief from Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards has been made by the Government. This decision was made by Cabinet this afternoon. In making ttye announcement, the Prime Minister, Mr. M. J. Savage, said that the Government, in making this sum available for those in need of outdoor relief, hoped it would receive the full co-operation of all the local bodies concerned throughout the Dominion. “It is altogether unfair, and a gross misrepresentation of fact, to say that the Government decided to include women in the participation of the Christmas bonus to the unemployed as the result of pressure,” declared the Minister of Employment, Mr. H. T. Armstrong, in a statement to-night. “There was no pressure brought to bear upon the Government or the Unemployment Board, and I resent the statement, published in Auckland, that the Government was subjected to influence in making its decision to include the unemployed women in the distribution of the Christmas bonus. BROADCASTING. WELLINGTON, December 13. “The Cabinet has not yet discussed its policv in respect of broadcasting, said Mr.' M. J. Savage, after the completion of a long meeting of the Ministry to-day. “As I have already said, it will be some time yet before the question can be given full consideration. In the meantime, however, Cabinet has decided to extend the term of office of the Chairman, Mr. H. D. Vickery (whose tenure of the position was to expire on December 17) until the end of the current financial J eai, March 31, 1936.”

LIVE STOCK EMBARGO. WELLINGTON, December 13. Mr. Lee Martin, Minister of Agriculture, was questioned to-day concerning Lord Bledisloe s statement as catfled from London on Thursday, that he had every reason to believe that the Labour Government was at least sympathetic, and perhaps more than sympathetic, to the claims of British agriculture than its predecessors, regarding the New Zealand embaigo on the direct importation of British stud stock. The Minister of Agriculture said: “The matter has not in any way come before the present Government, nor has it received consideration. Consequently, no statement can be made.”