PARLIAMENT IN SESSION

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 10 November 1933, Page 7

PARLIAMENT IN SESSION

FRIDAY MORNING SITTING QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS. SCRAP IRON FOR JAPAN. PAY IN RELIEF CAMPS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) « WELLINGTON, Nov. 10. The House of Representatives met at 10.30 a.m. to-day. Mr. W. E. Barnard (Lab. Napier) asked the Prime Minister whether he had satisfied himself as to the general use to which scrap iron purchased by Japaiie.se agents in this, country for export to Japan was being put and whether any New Zealand State Department was disposing of scrap iron to Japan. The Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes said that all the information available was that the scrap iron was not being used for other than commercial purposes. He understood the Railway Department was taking advantage of the most favourable market for the disposal of scrap iron in this Way. Mr. J. Hargest (Co., Invercargill) was granted three days’ leave of absence on account of urgent public business.

The Trade Agreement (New Zealand and Australia) Ratification Bill was put through the remaining stages without further discussion and pkssed. Mr. F. Lye (Co., Waikato) asked what was the reason for the reduction in the relief rate of pay in single men’s camps from 25s to 20s par week. The Hon. A. Hamilton said that in many parts of the Auckland province farmers and others were experiencing difficulty in obtaining the services of meh arid it had been represented that the conditions in many camps were such that men would not leave to accept outside work. The Unemployment Board had recently decided to reduce the allowance to single men in camps throughout the Auckland province and if they Were dissatisfied with the rate of pay they had the opportunity of accepting better rates being offered in many places. He said he had in his hand a copy of an Auckland paper containing about a column and a-half of advertisements for workers.

Mr Barnard: What wages are offering ? Mr Hamilton: Quite reasonable Wages. We are receiving a number of complaints that farmers to-day cannot get necessary labour. The debate on the second reading ,of the Tomato Gardens Registration Bill was continued. The Hon. C. E. Macmillan, in reply, Said it was the policy of the Government to give any industry an opportunity to organise itself so long as such a course did, not conflict with the public interest. The Bill was read a second time

POULTRY REGISTRATION. Moving the second reading of the Poultry Runs Registration Bill, Mr Macmillan said it was practically the same as tlhe measure passed by the House in March last (but held up by the Legislative Council). The clause dealing with the functions of the proposed poultry board, however, had been altered so as to place it beyond doubt that there was no intention that the board should exercise control over the marketing of eggs in New Zealand. The Minister referred to the potential value of the egg industry to New Zealand and said the fact that it liad not been developed had been due to lack of organisation in the industry itself. He pointed out tbat Australia exported £lOl worth for every £1 worth of eggs exported by New Zealand, while a small country like Denmark exported to Britain eggs worth £3,000,000 last year, compared with approximately £BOOO worth from the Dominion. The Bill simply asked that the industry be allowed to organuse itself. Since its passage by the House last year there had been a greater demand than ever to have it placed on the Statute Book. Mr. W. E. Parry. (Lab., Auckland Central) said the Minister would be | well advised to ask the House for ; straight out legislation enabling him to obtain powers for Government departments to organise industries and iput them on a sound basis and lay the foundation for planning productivity. Members were not opposed to the Bill : before the House, but it was irritating for them to have their time occupied dealing with numerous measures to meet the needs of individual industries. He asked the Minister to go into the matter during the recess and see whether it would be possible to bring down a Bill providing for planned administration so far as Government departments were concerned. Mr. P. A. de la Perrelle (C., Awarua) said he considered the view expressed by Mr Parry should appeal to the Minister. He was totally oposed' to so many boards being set up in New Zealand.

Mr. A. S. Richards (Lab., Roskill) suggested that the minimum number of oirds' requiring to be registered As, a run should be increased from 25 to 50.

Several members spoke in- support of the general principle of organising the industry and the debate was interrupted when the House adjourned at 1 p.m.