MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 226, 23 August 1945, Page 3

MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS

FAIR RENTS ACT. RESTRICTIONS ON RACING. (Press Assn.) WELLINGTON, e\ug. 22 Questions occupied the attention of the members of the House of Representatives this afternoon, a number being presented for answers and a large number of others asked earlier receiving printed answers which were discussed. Mr F. Hackett (Lab., Grey Lynn) gave notice to ask the Minister of Labour if he would consider amending the Fair Rents Act in order that workers who were directed to essential industries away from their homes should receive the same consideration as members of the Armed Forces? Mr Hackett quoted the case of a man who, directed to another town, had let his house and when he returned could not regain possession. Mr R. G. Gerard (Nat., MidCanterbury) gave notice to ask the Minister of Internal A flairs'(Mr Parry) if he would indicate whether the Gov r eminent had considered the removal of restrictions placed on racing and trotting clubs during the war and, if it was intended to remove the restrictions, would the Government make an early announcement so that clubs, owners and breeders could make their arrangements ?

Mr W. AI. Denham (Lab., Invercargill) gave notice to ask the Minister of Justice (Mr Mason) whether he would cause an inquiry to be made into the activities of industrial insurance companies, with particular refer- ! ence to the amount lost by contributors th rough the lapsing of policies, the high cost of collecting premiums, and the low and sometimes negligible surrender value of policies which have been in operation for many years? Mr Denham said for the five years 19381942 no fewer than 89,200 such policies had been allowed to lapse, and the expenses of the management over this period amounted to almost 30 per cent, of the premium income. SHEEP ..LOSSES AT OMAPERE. Mr C. G. Harker (Nat., Waipawa) asked the Minister of Rehabilitation (Mr Skinner) if he was aware of the abnormally heavy loss of ewes and lambs on the Omapere soldier settlement in Hawke’s Ray and what steps did he propose to take to mitigate the present condition and to prevent a recurrence in future years? Would he set up advisory committees in the locality of all soldier settlements, such committees to consist of experienced neighbouring farmers?

Mr Skinner said the heavy losses had not been confined to Omapere, but extended to other areas, being due to the unusually dry autumn and consequent shortage of winter feed. The loss of ewes had amounted to almost 10 per cent., or about 509 out of 5000. The carrying capacity of the block had been assessed at 6000, but the number of ewes had been kept down to near 5000. The loss of lambs was due to the heavy storm last Thursday. Servicemen, who had been successful in drawing areas of the block, would not suffer because of these losses as they bad not yet taken over the areas, but were working for wages on the block. Replying to Mr H. E. Combs (Lab., Wellington Suburbs) the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) said the question of introducing legislation making it mandatory for all political parties to disclose the source of all contributions to party funds and the way in which such funds are disbursed was receiving favourable consideration.

The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Sullivan), replying to Mr L G. Lowry (Lab,, Otaki), who asked whether, in view of the alleged practice of auctioneers buying on their own behalf, ho would consider setting up a commission to inquire into what way justice could be done to those who had been wronged over a period of years, said that as the result of the Wellington case an inquiry had been instituted, and when it was completed consideration would be given to the course of action which might be necessary to protect growers against such buying in of produce. The Prime Minister, replying to Mr W. T. Anderton (Lab., Eden) said consideration would be given to the introduction of legislation making it an offence for daily newspapers to publish “factory-made” letters. Mr Anderton had stated that a factory-made letter was one prepared in the newspaper’s own office and inserted to deceive readers into believing it was from an outside source.

The Acting-Minister of Labour (Mr O’Brien), replying to Mr llackett (Lab., Grey Lynn) said the question of charges for rooms was being considered with the view of affording protection in cases similar to the one mentioned by Mr Hackett, of a person paying ,C 3 weekly for one room containing only two beds and a duchesse. The man paying this rent had informed a Magistrate that he received a cun of tea and a couple of biscuits in the morning, the Magistrate commenting: ‘•'this is just sufficient to put it outside the Fair Rents Act.”