PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 29 September 1915, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

INCREASED BUTTER FREIGHTS

DAIRY INDUSTRY AMENDMENT BILL.

[By Telegraph—Special to Star.] WELLINGTON, Sept. 28. Butter freights have gone up to & 9d per box, an increase equal to~3os per ton. In announcing this the Prime Minister told the House this afternoon that the Chairman of the Oversea* Shipowners' Committee had written stating that in accordance with instructions from the Board of Trade the rate of freight on butter had been raised from 3s to 3s 9d ncr box. The Australian rates of freight were, pei mail steamer, 3s 3d per box, plus 5 per cent primage, and 20 per cent, surcharge,, total 3s Id, while by cargo steamer the total cost was 3s' 9d pei box. Towards the end of last season the Board of Trade notified him that it was proposed to increase the rate of freight on butter .by 6d per box. He asked them to postpone bringing in the increase until May 31st, allowing | butter in -stock to be shipped. This j was accepted, so that the "present increase really meant a 50 per cent, rise over last season's freight^ an increase from 2s 6d to 3s 9d, He had already asked the High Commissioner if the Board of Trade could make any modification, but in view of the fact that the minimum rate from Australia was 3s 9d he hardly thought they could expect any exception to be made in the case of New Zealand. DAIRY INDUSTRY AMENDMENT. The Minister of Agriculture had introduced an amendment for the Dairy Industry Act, which makes more severe the m-ohibition of export of butter containing 16 per cent, of water, every person being liable to a fine not exceeding £50 who sends to any grading store for the purpose of being graded any butter which contains more than 16 per centum of water, or exports or attempts to export any such butter, and the dairy inspectors to have Dower to dispose of such butter as he thinks fit Kegnhtions may be issued prescribing conditions subject to which applications tor the registration of dairies may be granted, including a condition requiring the approval by the Minister or the site of buildings and equipment of any dairy. AMERICAN MEAT AT GALLIPOLI. . The member for Patea this afternoon asked the Minister of Defence if New Zealand frozen or tinned meat could not be supplied to our own men at the tront instead of American tinned meat, which was very salty and unsuitable, especially as the water suoply at Galhpoh was short. Mr Allen explained that the Imperial Ixovernment was supplying all the stores iron. Imperial ordnance stores. He had indirectly heard that our men nad. been getting American tinned meat and also heard that there was a possi bihty of a certain amount of frozen meat being supplied the troops at Galhpoh The Minister added that he had already cabied asking th c Imperial Government whether they would consent to establishment of'a canteen for the supply of ordinary stores and comtorts for our troops at the front at reasonable rates. If permission were obtained he hoped to carry out the project. ' * WOUNDED SOLDTERS' PAY. Mr Craigie informed the Defence Minister this afternoon that many cables had been received from wounded men m England stating that they are not receiving their pay, and that in some cases they are destitute. The Minister replied that the Imperial authorities had found results unsatisfactory when .-nen wounded received their full pay while in hospital or a convalescent home. So far as the New Zealand troops were con°?f ned j tllerefore > a wounded man was allowed to give an order up to 2s or 3s a week for purchase of comforts, and upon <roing out of hospital all his accumulated pay was handed to him. The Minister went on to sound a warn*n £ to parents who sent sums of money to their sons at the front. As a matter of fact there was no real necessity for any such money to be sent, a® the' men had their pay, and in some cases the sending of money might do more harm than good. He explained to Mr Isitt that a soldier's pay is not reduced while he is in. the hospital. DANGEROUS GELIGNITE. The Minister of Mines informed Mr Webb this afternoon that as five fatal gelignite accidents and many minor ones had occurred Jn the past year samples of gelignite had been submitted to tlie Government analyst, with the intention of trying to find out the cause of the defect in the explosive used, and, if possible, -a-remedy. They certainly s?e:ned. ho acHerl, to' be sonic justification for the anxiety of mine managers and others respecting the use of the explosive.