QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 240, 23 September 1922, Page 4

QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE.

MEAT HOARD SALARIES. WHO PAYS? (Special to ‘‘Tribune.’’) Wellington, September 22. Curiosity as to whether members of the Meat Control Board receive payment fur their services, and if so, where the money comes from, was expressed by Dr. Tliacker (Chnstchurch East) in the House yesterday afternoon. Ho wished particularly to know whether the Government paid or whe* ther the money came from, a levy on the producers. It would appear that the point had been giving the member for Christchurch Blast concern for some time, for when the Prime Minister suggested that really what the member should ask for was a return, Dr. Thacker said he asked for a return two months ago, but it had lapsed. Mr. Massey then said he understood a small salary was provided for the ( hairman, the amount being paid by the producers, and not by the Government. Other memebrs of the board in -New Zealand received out-of-pocket expenses and travelling allowances. HOUSES ON £lO DEPOSIT. Recently the Prime Minister said he would continue to provide money for the erection of houses for legitimate working men, on payment of £lO, as evidence of the application beung genuine. Mr. Mitchell (Wellington South) asked the Prime Minister to-day whether he would lay down some system for arriving at which applicants are legitimate working men, and would he tell the House who was to decide the point? He also referred to the suggestion that returned soldiers should in future apply to the Advances Department instead of to the Repatriation Department for money with which to build houses, and he pointed out that the workers’ section of the Department could advance only three-fourths of the amount required. Would the Repatriation Department, he asked, be able to provide the other quarter? The Prime Minister replied that if a worker with a good character come along with his £lO deposit, it would be for the Advances Board to say whether he should have a house built for him. He would be given his choice of section and the type of house. Mr. Mitchell: He must be a married man? Air. Massey: “I should say a married man with a family.” It was impossible. he added, to provide sufficient money for everybody. He believed a more satisfactory scheme than mentioned by Mr. Mitchell was being evolved for the soldiers. PROMOTION ON MERIT. In reply to a suggestion that promotion in the Railway Department should be by merit, and not according to length of service, the Afinister for Railways replied in the House to-day: “I quite agree with that, but we are up against the classification list. We can’t bring up a man because lie shows exceptional ability. 1 think merit should be the guiding factor, and not length of service.” ONE MINISTER. ONE PORTFOLIO. ‘‘l quite agree that no Minister should be asked to hold two such important portfolios as Lands and Railways,” stated Air. Guthrie in the House yesterday. “I am satisfied from my experience that a Minister / would have quite enough to do if he had nothing but Railways—certainly he would nave very few idle moments.” REVISION OF RAILWAY TARIFF. During discussion on the Railway Department’s estimates, several memebrs have urged the desirability, of reducing both lares and freights so as to induce the public to make greater use oi the system. They inquired what had become of the promised revision of tariff, and many of them urged the reinstatement of excursions at prewar rates. The ALinister replied that the revision ot the tariff was not by any means a .simple matter. It had been engaging the attention of the Department for some time past, but finality had not been reached. Some of the anomalies had been removed. The Department had the matter of excursions in hand, and the arrangements which would be proposed for the Christmas holidays would, he felt sure, satisfy members. NAPiER-WELLINGTON EXPRESS. VEXATIOUS DELAYS. (Special to “Tribune.”) Wellington, Sept. 22. When the railway estimates were under discussion Sir George Hunter asked for an improvement in the running on the Napier-Wellington line. The present delaj’ which occurred daily at Ashhurst was very annoying. The time-table should be altered so that up and down trains would pass at Pa liner stop North. DECREASED SHEEP FLOCKS. EMBARGO ON~ EWE LAMB EXPORT. (Special to “Tribune.’*) Parlt. Bldgs., Sept. 22. The sheep returns for thf past four years disclosed n decrease of foui million. Mentioning this fact in the Rouse to-day Sir George Hunter (Waipawa) asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government would consider placing a limitation on exportation of ewe lambs. He further suggested that the Government should assist in maintaining the supply ,of cheap fertilisers to prevent a rapid decline in floc fra. The Hon. W. Nos worthy said such a proposal as the first would need consideration by the Governjnent. As a whole the sheep returns showed an increase m the number of breeding ewes this year, and the Government would have to he guided by the position as it developed. If there was good lambing and prospects of flocks being huilt to. there would be no need to take action. H.e did not want to interfere unless it was imperative. The Government, he added, was doing its utmost to keep up an adequate supply of fertilisers at the least possible price. LOWER MANURE FREIGHTS SOUGHT. Sir George also appealed for a reduction of freights in Nauru phosphates. The Hon. Guthrie said he knew time was lost at Ashhurst. Trains had te puss somewhere. Apparently Ashhurst was considered the most suit able. He would do his best to see whether loss of time could lie eliminated. The suggestion in regard to the carriage of Nauru phosphates at a cheap rate was an important one and would be considered in the hope of giving effect to it. The Hon. Ngata: What about other phusphatea? The Hon. Guthrie said they would all come into it.