BUDGET OF QUERIES

Hawera Star, Volume L, 28 August 1930, Page 5

BUDGET OF QUERIES

MINISTERS’ REPLIES IN HOUSE PREVENTION OF PROFITEERING. PRESENT ACTION UNNECESSARY. (By Telegraph— Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 27. The Hou. P. A. do la Perrelle, replying to Mr 0. Carr in the House of Representatives to-day, said it Yvas not considered necessary to set up a consumer’s council uuder the Board of Trade Act, Competition was now particularly keen in many trades and there was not at present any indication of a special necessity for action to prevent profiteering. The department, which was keeping a close watcli on prices, would investigate any cases where it was suggested unreasonable prices were being charged, and action would be taken without hesitation where necessary. Replying to Mr J. S. Fletcher, Mr de la Perrelle said inquires throughout the Dominion showed that the margin of profit between the wholesale price of tea and the retail price to consumers was by. no means unreasonable. In answer to a question submitted by Mr J. Linklater, Mr Forbes stated in a written reply that it was not intended that the commission set up to hear cases of hardship arising from the imposition of tlic special land tax last year should sit again. A reasonable time had been given in which taxpayers, might object to assessments. It was necessary to fix a limit to the period allowed for objection, otherwise the work of the commission would have been interminable.

BREAD-MAKING COSTS. Mr de la Perrelle. informed Mr C. A. Wilkinson that the investigations into flour-milling and bread-making costs which had been recommended by the special wheat committee of last session were nearing completion. The Hon. J. G. Cobbe, replying to Mr Carr, said the question of introducing legislation to amend the Police Force Act with regard to offences, appeals and reinstatements was now under consideration, and in view of this fact it was not considered necessary to set up a commission of inquiry with a view to the establishment of an appeal court where dismissals and disratings bo investigated. Mr W. E. Barnard asked the Minister of Finance whether he would consider the question of fixing license fees for hotels on a graduated scale based upon the sales of liquor. He pointed out that the present fixed price of £4O per year was sometimes too large an overhead expense for a remote backblocks inn, while it was far too small for a large and thriving town or city hotel.

The reply was that the matter would be taken into consideration when the Licensing Act was next amended. Mr J. A. Maepherson asked the Minister of Finance wnether he would give exemption from income tax to a man supporting both his father and mother. He stated that exemption was granted where a man supported his 'widowed mother. The Minister replied that owing to the financial position it was not possible to adopt a more generous scale at present, but consideration would be given to the point when a more favourable time arrived. Replying to Mr W. Nash, the Minister stated that the question of a Royal Commission to investigate the basic wage had been- carefully considered and the Government had decided not to set up such a commission at present. Mr G. G. Blaek drew attention to the announcement of the establishment of a seaplane passenger service between. Auckland and Invercargill and intermediate towns, and asked whether, in view of probable competition,with the railway service and the possible co-or-dination of present and future transport services by the State, he would give the matter consideration. The Hon. W. A. Veitch said the question of possible competition with the railway services would receive consideration. In anstver to a question submitted by Mr Barnard, Mr de la Perrelle said the exhibitors of films were required to state in every newspaper advertisement that the picture was recommended by the . censor as more suitable for adults if such a certificate had been issued. There was no reason to believe that exhibitors would add such a statement to advertisements unless an "A” certificate had actually- been issued for the film. Such a certificate did not make it a condition that children must not bo admitted; it was merely a recommendation and it -was the business of parents to permit or forbid. ART UNION PERMITS. Air de la Perrelle informed Mr T. D. Burnett that the Government was at 'present considering the matter of licensing alpine guides and data was being collected on the subject. It was hoped to call a conference of interested parties at an early date. Replying to Air W. D. Stewart, Mr do la Perrelle stated that as an indication that there was nothing approaching the wholesale issue of art union permits it might be stated that since the United Government had taken office there had been five licenses issued to raffle alluvial gold with prizes valued at £4OOO, one at £SOOO and three of a total value of £IOO. The objects for which art unions were permitted were worthy and at the same ’ time tending to relieve unemployment. The Hon. J. B. .Donald informed Mr W. H. Field that the whitebait fishing regulations were now in form for final consideration, and it was hoped to issue them shortly. It was hoped the regulations would' result in the establish - emnt of the fisheries to their former plentitude so far as that was possible under the changed natural conditions, but it. was necessary that the changes proposed should be brought about in a way that was reasonable and fair to those concerned. The Hon. A. J. Murdoch, replying to Air Waite, said the Government had no present intention of altering the existing arrangement with regard to the subsidy given by the Department of Agriculture for the carriage of agricultural lime on the railways. Air H. E. Holland asked the Alinistcr of Alines whether the Government would this session take steps to amend the law relating to the production and importation of coal to ensure that the coal miners of New Zealand would Hie kept ‘in employment. Air Alurdoch replied that it was not considered necessary to introduce legislation this session. The position would bo closely watched in the interests of the New Zealand coal mining industry.