THE ESTIMATES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 237, 3 September 1927, Page 4

THE ESTIMATES

CONSIDERATION BY HOUSE. SEVERAL VOTES PASSED. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Sept. 2. After minor matters had been dealt with this afternoon, the Houso of Representatives went into committee of supply to further consider the estimates, the first item taken being that for the Mines Department, £34,749. Replying to the discussion the Minister said that the Onakaka mines produced very fine iron and some had been exported to New South Wales, but further export had been checked by the increased tariff in Australia. The company was doing very well and had reduced the cost by putting in a new plant. They produced 4000 tons la9t year and the Government purchased a much as possible from the company. The trouble was that the company had not sufficient capital, but that was being overcome. The company was meeting with strong opposition from imported iron, and the Minister of Customs was looking into the question of the importations of cheap iron from Bengal and would see what could bo done to help the New Zealand product. The question of the briquetting of slack coal was being further investigated by the Government. The price of smokeless fuel so far produced was too high to make it a commercial proposition. The smallest briquetting plant that would make sufficient fuel for the New Zealand railways would cost £500,000. The whole question of smokeless fuel and briquetting supplies for the railways was being examined by an official committee consisting of representatives of the Railway and Mines Departments. The vote was passed. The following votes were passed without discussion:—State Coal Mines Department, £291,317; Government printing office, £235,650; Native Department, £30,616; Native Land Settlement Act, £4605; Native Trustees Act, £14,215; Government Insurance Department, £106,025. STATE EIRE INSURANCE OFFICE. On the vote for the State Fire Insurance Office, £34,111, Hon. YV. Nosworthy said they were quite a»ive to the activo competition of the private offices. In consequence of this competition they liad not had too good a year, but they would do what they could to give relief to clients. Mr Savage declared that not sufficient was being done to push the commercial side of the office. The vote was passed. The Government accident insurance account, £16,840, was agreed to after a brief debate. The Prime Minister’s Department, £12,356, and the National Provident and Friendly Societies Department, £24,563, were also passed. INTERNAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT

Consideration of the estimates was continued in the evening. On the vote for the .Department of Internal Affairs, £315,463, Mr Jordan criticised the reduction proposed in the allowance for fire brigade men attending conferences and demonstrations. . „ Mr Holland asked for information as to the cost of advertising in connection with the publicity department. He commended the various publications from the technical point of view, but hoped the compilers would show greater regard in future for accuracy in the statements included in the publications. Mr. Sullivan pleaded for more financial encouragement to life saving societies and surf clubs. Mr Hudson declared that opossums formed a serious menace in districts where their haunts adjoined orchard areas and said that the greatest care should be taken in giving any aid or protection to opossum stocking. The Minister (Sir Maui Pomare) replying to the debate, agreed with Mr Jordan’s eulogy of the work done by the fire brigades, but economy was necessary and this accounted for the reduction in the vote for travelling expenses. Referring to a comment on the cost of the High Commissioner’s establishment, he said it was necessary that the High Commissioner should have a residence commensurate with the dignity of his position. Sir Maui Pomare said that the department’s information regarding 'Wapiti and Moose was unsatisfactory, but apparently these animals were not increasing. Hon. G. J. Anderson, replying to some other points raised, said that quinnat salmon were increasing, but it would not be possible for a number of years to think of establishing a canning industry. The indications were that good runs of fish only came about once in four years. Referring to advertising in the London Times, the Minister said that the Government took advantage of a special issue to advertise the Dominion. The item for the cost of films referred to films shown throughout Australia depicting the scenery and living conditions in New Zealand which formed a fine advertising medium. Mr Field asked if something could not be done to provide an adequate building for a National Art Gallery, the absence of which had already lost the country some fine collections which were irreplaceable. Sir Joseph Ward drew attention to the vote of £SOO for th.e restoration of the memorial to the late Sir John McKenzie, which he said was quite inadequate to do justice to the memory of one who was undoubtedly a great man who did an immense amount of good for all sections of the community. He proposed to call on the Minister in the course of a few days and endeavour to get the matter settled in a manner creditable to all parties concerned. If anything was to be done it should be done quickly, and in a worthy manner. Mr Atmore, discussing the preservation of New Zealand bush, said thati deer and opossums should be treated as the pests they are. Sir Maui Pomare, replying to Sir Joseph Ward, said that the Government was waiting for information regarding the McKenzie memorial. When that was received, they would be prepared to go on at any time. As to the cost of the memorial, jf £SOO were not sufficient the Government would do the right thing. At 11.40 the vote was passed. ' TREASURY DEPARTMENT. The vote for the Treasury Department, £36,350, was next taken. Replying to Mr Sidey, the Minister of Finance said that it was considered advisable to retain' the services of Colonel Esson in an advisory capacity because he was through the period of war finance and his peculiar knowledge of war problems was valuable to the country. While he was away on a Royal Commission he did not draw his retaining fee. The vote was passed. The vote for public buildings, £233,033, was next discussed briefly and progress was reported, and the House rose at midnight till 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday.