PARLIAMENT

Grey River Argus, 1 May 1942, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

S.I. Railway P.A. WELLINGTON, April 30. The House met at 7.30 p.m. Replying to an urgent question by Mr. E. P. Meachen (Govt., Marlborough), for an indication of the Government’s policy regarding the completion of the South Island Main Trunk Railway, the Minister of Public Works (Hon. H. T. Armstrong), said that the Government fully realised the economic [desirability and strategic importance of completing this line as early as possible, but its order of priority for national defence purposes was not so great as some other works. Men whp had been transferred from it for otherworks would be sent back -again as goon as they were available, and, with the Member for Marlborough, he hoped the time was not far distant when rail communication would exist right from Picton to Bluff.

PETROL FOR REV. SCRIMGEOUR.

The matter of the issue of a special license for a hundred gallons of petrol to Mr. C. G. Scrimgeour, was referred to by the Minister of Supply (Mr. Sullivan). He answered the question asked on the previous night by Mr. F. W. Doidge (Nat., Tauranga). Mr. Sullivan said the license was issued for only one month to the National Commercial Broadcasting Service in the name of the Controller, for urgent national service work in connection with the Victory Campaign. The petrol was used m visiting North Island centres to make sound recordings of industries at work. SUGAR FuR JAM-MAKING. The issue of supplies of sugar to housewives for the purpose of jammakine and fruit preserving was forecast by Mr. Sullivan in reply to an urgent question by Mr. D. U. Kidd (Nat., Waitaki). The Minister stated that the question of reducing the use of sugar for nonessential purposes was now under consideration, and he added that, if supplies were available, additional sugar rations would be made for jam-making and fruit preserving. “SCORCHED EARTH” IN N.Z.? The scope of the War Damage Act is to be extended by an amending Bill introduced in the House. It is a short measure, of only two clauses. The Prime Minister explained that if loss were inflicted on an individual because of action, it was necessary to take to defend the country, then that loss would be spread over the whole community. Demolitions and damage to private property would bo covered by the amendment, ine Bill was read for the first time.