DOMINION WAR NOTES.

Northern Advocate, 17 September 1914, Page 5

DOMINION WAR NOTES.

CANTBEN CONTRACTS

(Special Correspondtnt). ' WELLINGTON, Sept. 16. As soon as the House of Representatives met last evening Ministers were called upon to face the usual fire of inquiries regarding matters concerning the war.

Mr Witty remarked that contracts amounting to £4000 had been let for the canteens on the two troopships going from Lyttelton, although some .£6OO had been collected in the South Island, together with , a-supply of, cigarettes and tobacco, which it was thought would be' sufficient for the voyage. If it were correct that a contract had been let for the canteens at £4,000 it would mean that the amount so paid could not be gained from the pay of the troops on board between New Zealand and Home. The Allen (Minister of Defence) said he was sorry that he could not g've a very specific answer. He knew that some of the contracts were let, and he would have an inquiry made and let the Hon. gentleman know later on. • - EXPORTS OF FOODSTUFFS. Mr J. A. Hanan asked ■ the Prime Minister if he did not .think it would be advisable for New Zealand to follow on the lines of Canada and Australia and confine New /Zealand exports and food supplies v o Great Britain and ,the possessions of the Empire. He felt sure that commercial men, merchants, exporters, and producers would readily fall in with such a suggestion. The Prime Minister said that members would have noticed that so*me time ago they realised there was scarcely' sufficient wheat and flour to supply the Dominion until the next harvest, and the export of those classes of produce was prohibited. It was, however, found that there was more than a sufficiency of oats, and the export of oats was therefore allowed. Contracts had been entered into between New Zealand and American merchants and those could not be. interfered with, but the Government was watching very closely what was going on, and at any moment he might consider it liis duty to bring it before Cabinet for consideration. PRE-VOTING. Mr G. W. Russell asked if it was a fact that votes are still being taken at the expeditionary camps. The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher: The votes of .members of the expeditionary force are going to be taken until' every man has cast his vote. PRICE OF SUGAR. Tn answer to Mr Witty the Prime Minister said that the question of the price of sugar was being referred to .the Cost of Food Commission, which is now sitting in Canterbury. GERMAN PATENT RIGHTS. Sir J. G. Ward asked the Prime Minister if he thought it desirable to introduce legislation removing the patent rights on articles imported from Germany or from German patents registered in New Zealand. He thought the matter was one of very great importance. In the dairying industry, for example, there was' one article used in the factories that he believed could be produced in New Zealand quite as well as it is in Germany, J He referred to rennet. He had been assured by a scientific man that it could quite well be produced in New Zealand, providing the manufacturers were afforded, the necessary protec-

tion. lie suggested to the Prime Minister tbit it would be a good thing if iwo mon like Dr. Mac Lauren and Professor lOasterfield were appointed to inciiiire iuto the matter. He added that the British Government had already cancelled a number of German patents. The Prime Minister said that the matter had already been under the fconsideration of the Government, which had communicated with the Imperial Government on the subject. Up to the present time, however, it had net received any reply. He thought that Canada was in the same position. As soon as a reply came to hand he ■"would be very glad to inform the House as to the position of the Government.

Sir Joseph Ward: Have we to wait the decision of the Imperial Government?

Mr Massey: I don't think _we can act without consulting them.