POLITICAL NOTES

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 18 July 1929, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES

JOTTINGS FROM THE HOUSE.

ALLEGED SHORT-WEIGHT BREAD. MINISTER PROMISES INQUIRY. ,(By Telegraph—Special to the Star.) WELLINGTON, July 17. . Alleging that as a result of arrangements -between the Master Bakers’ Federation and the Health Department in 1924, bread consumers are deprived of 300 tons per annum through sliort- - weight loaves, Mr T. W. McDonald (Wairarapa) put a series of questions to tlie Hon. A. -Stallworthy, Minister of Health, on the subject. The Minister has replied that the Department of Health took action as stated, authorising the sale as 21b loaves of bread of “barracoua, ” “corrugated,” and “pompom” shapes, weighing only 11b 14oz; that certain other types of bread shall not exceed lib Soz in weight, and that -certain other loaves of bread of ordinary eomj position shall not exceed 11b 4oz. in weight. “ These measures,” states the Minister were the outcome of -repeated requests by the Master Bakers’ Federation for the department to act upon the exemption provisions of Section 26 (4) of the Sale of Food and Drugs Act. I have held an inquiry into the action referred to of the Department, and While I find that the administrative measures cited were not taken by regulation as provided under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, there is no doubt at all that the department acted in good faith and with a view to promoting public interest. I have no reliable method of cheeking the alleged weight loss to bread consumers as the result of the arrangement referred to, -but I propose to review and reopen the whole question without unnecessary delay, with a view to restoring constitutional practice and to make the position more satisfactory as between the buyers and the sellers of bread. ’’ PREVENTION OF SHEEP STEALING. A modern development in sheep stealing methods prompted Mr W. J. Poison (Stratford) to request the Minister of Agriculture to extend the provisions of the Stock Act to stock clarified vehieularly, other than by train, in order to prohibit the removal ofstock between the hours of sunset and sunrise; also whether he will provide for the appointment of special -officers by arrangement with local vigilance committees to assist the police in suppression of this crime. The Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, Minister of Agriculture, replied that he will go into the question of so amending section 58 of the Stock Act, as to make it applicable to stock carried by road in motor vehicles. As regards the appointment of officers to assist vigilance committees and the poliee in the suppression of sheep stealing, this is a matter for the Police Department, but inquiries are being made as to whether the present stock -officers of the department can, in the course of their duties, afford some 'assistance in this direction.

STATE BORROWERS IN EARTHQUAKE AREAS. The Prime Minister has informed Mr J. O’Brien (Westland) that the State Advances Board has full authority to grant additional loins to any of its mortgagors whose properties have been damaged by the recent earthquake aid who may require financial assistance j?o enable them to make good the damage. It is not considered that further provision is required WHEAT AND FLOUR INQUIRY. The Government, states -the Prime Minister in reply to the member for Riccarton, has already announced its intention to refer the question of wheat and flour duties to a special committee of the House, representing all parties, to review the whole question this session. The present duties will remain in force for the coming season’s crop, but the subsequent policy will be decided after the committee has taken evidence from the interested -parties and made its recommendation to Parliament.

The Alii) is ter >of Agriculture, answering a question iby Air W. H. Field (Otaki) regarding the heavy price of fowl wheat charged to North Island poultry farmers, and the parlous condition of the industry consequent thereon, stated that it is intended that this shall be one of the matters to fee dealt with by the select committee which will be set up to go into the subject of the wheat industry, as affecting both the producers and consumers. PUBLIC SERVICE SALARIES. Questioned regarding the claim of public servants to reinstatement of salary reductions under retrenchment in 1922, the Prime Minister replied that the representations by several service organisations are being carefully considered and a statement will be made at an earlv date.