Political Notes.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume X, Issue 186, 22 July 1920, Page 5

Political Notes.

CRESS GALLERY JOTTINGS. VARIETY OF QUESTIONS. HAM'KE’S BAY MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS. Parliament Buildings. July 21. Replying to the general question by Air. Vigor Brown on pensions Sir M’illiam Hli-ries said the increase of old ag<- pensions will be dealt with when legislation is introduced this session. Regarding retention ot_ the bonus paid under Finance Act 1917, and other matters referred to in the question are under consideration oi tho Government. POTATOES. -Mr. G. Hunter asked the Minister of Agriculture whether in view ot the serious condition of the potato market in New Zealand he will have inquiries made with the object of finding markets other than in Australia, ifnd whether in the meantime efforts will be made to have the embargo against the importation of New Zealand grown potatoes into Australia removed. Mr. Nosworthy replied that inquiries have been made on the lines indicatedand though so far they have been unsuccessful they are being continued. Further efforts to get the Australian embargo lifted are being made. THE NAPIER. MAIL TRAIN. In replying to a question by Air. G. Hunter regarding speeding up the Napier mail train by l ulling out stops Air. Alassey said tiie time table of mail trains between M'eliington and Napier lias been engaging attention. It is, however, -surrounded by difficulties. “It is hoped,” fie said, “somo improvement may be made when the new working time table is issued, but 1 would emphasise what has been repeatedly pointed out namely, the lact that frequent stops and fast speed are incompatible. Efforts of the department to reduce the number of stops for the purpose of improving train services are invariably met by strong opposition all along the route. MEAT EXPORT INIFORAIITY. Air. Hunter asked whether the Government will consider the advisability of passing legislation to provide for a universal system as to dressing carcases of mutton and beef tor export and for uniform custom of weigtiing and of deductions to be allowed for lost weight. Air. Alassey replied that the matters referred to are being gone into at the present time and when inquiries, which are being made, are completed, the question of taking of definite action will be considered. HOSPITAL FINANCE.

Mr. Hunter is asking the Minister in charge ot the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Department whether he will, this session, promote legislation providing for borrowing money for permanent improvement by hospital and .charitable aid boards, and for a Government subsidy upon all moneys so raised. “A CERTAIN FARMER’S M’OOL.” Air. J. Vigor Brown is again Laving a joke on a familiar topic. He had given notice to ask the Prime Minister: (1) whether, during the period of the commandeer of wool and meat, he was aware that a prominent farmer Of Poverty Bay withheld his wool when a’.l other farmers submitted to the terms of the commandeer; (2) whether the Imperial Government Supplies Department took any, and if so, what steps to see that the said farmer should be brought into line with other producers ; (3) whether the said wool is still in the Dominion and, what is the legal position in view of the fact that the commandeer was lifted on 30th of June last, although wool was clipped prior to that date. ANZAC DAY. It is understood that legislation will definitely lie introduced into Parliament this session, declaring Anzac Day a holiday. “PAPER” OATS. “Selling paper oats” was the charge levelled against Auckland merchants by Mr. J. R. Hamilton (Awarua). lie asked the Prime Minister if he would make this Illegal. Merchants, he said, were making a determined attempt to demoralise the oats market in order to get themselves out of their forward sales.’ They had been doing the samething for two or three years, and it was having a bad effect on growing oats. Air. Massey said he was sorry to hear such a charge levelled against Auckland merchants. He asked what would happen if someone accepted the offer to sell. Mr. Hamilton said merchants would find some loophole of, escape. Sales never took place, unless they were bogus ones, between merchants. Air. Massey: If the bon. member will give me particulars of cases I w ill have the mattep looked into. PETROL PRICE AND SHORTAGE A request was blade to the Prime Alinister by Mr. Wilford, to have enquiries made with a view to ascertaining why it was, petrol was sold at such a high price in New Zealand. Air. Milford said iiiat when he had arrived roceutly in California, the price of petrol was 23 cents per gallon and, that when he left it was 25 cunts. At the present rate of exchange this would make about L-. For commercial purposes alone it was necessary that petrol should be obtainable here at a reasonable price, and something should be done to ascertain who was profiteering. He knew America used a great ileal of tho spirit herself but, that was no reason for the high prices being charged here. The Prime Alinister said - the President of the Board of Trade could perhaps better answer the question, but lie was not in the House. He would pass the matter on to him. The Board of Trade had gone into the matter, but the trouble was that they had never had sufficient supplies €b carry on with, much less to enable them tp set up a reserve. There was no question there w-as a shortage of petrol in America. In spite of the price, he feared, America might prohibit .the export altogether. ♦Air. Vigor Brown : Could the Government bring it over here themselves ? Air. Alassey said they would have to encourage importation into New Zealand of petrol in every w-ay possible. He referred to the urgent need in the country districts, where it was used extensively in the farming industry. He would have the matter thoroughly gone into. Air. Wilford .said he had been in formed that New Zealand’s method of buying petrol was to some extent the reason for the high prices. If, instead of importing it in tins, it could be shipped out in bulk and stored' here and distributed in bulk, the cost would he lower.