Compliment Minister On Running Of Dept.

Northern Advocate, 4 October 1944, Page 4

Compliment Minister On Running Of Dept.

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, his Day. Speaking in the House of Representatives last night to the vote of £585.707 for the Department of Infernal Affairs. Mr. W- Sullivan (Opp.Bay of Plenty) criticised the expenditure for ministerial and secretaries’ travelling expenses which, he said, timates.

had been overspent on last year’s csMr. A. S. Sutherland (Opp.-Hau-raki), complimented Mr. Parry on the buisiness like way the department was run, and on the wonderful work done in the direction of physical welfare. Mr. D. C. Kidd (Opp.-Waitaki), said the deer menace had become severe in Southland. Something should be done to expedite the return of rifles to farmers who wished to protect their crops against deer. Mr. W. A. Bodkin (Opp.-Central Otago), said that as soon as additional labour was available, deer culling should be intensified- The expenditure was fully warranted as the department had opened up and established a profitable market for deer-skins.

Other members congratulated the Minister on the management of his department. Mr. W. J. Poison (Opp.-Stratford) said he was sorry to strike a discordant note, but he would like the Minister to explain why the vote had been increased by £120,000 over last year

Physical Training The Hon. W. E. Parry said he intended to bring down n report on what had been done and what he proposed should be done regarding physical training. He intended to ask the Prime Minister to make an afternoon available for discussion of the report. The scheme ho had in view would cost a lot of money, but they could not afford not to spend money in (he physical welfare of the youth of the country. Replying to Mr Poison, he said that salaries had increased by approximately £17,0C0. Emergency Fire Service equipment was costing the department £32,000; the cost of living bonus amounted to £61,000. and the department was also charged with the cost of bonds given to officers in various departments in lieu of leave. The £32,000 lor fire equipment was what they were paying for equipment purchased for protection against war hazard. This equipment was to be distributed among fire brigades of the Dominion, and it was hoped that it would enable smaller brigades to fit themselves to combat fires or earthquake damage in their areas.

Travelling Net Excessive

Mar. Parry said deer destruction activities inevitably had been curtailed because most of the expert cullers were away overseas. However, it was intended to reorganise deer culling squads when the men returned. Mr. Parry said he thought there would never be control of vermin and' pests until wc established a wild life department. He said mileage charges, cost of petrol and other factors had all gone up. contributing to the increased cost of travelling by Ministers and their secretaries. Cabinet Ministers were certainly not traveling more than they ought. Hi they travelled as much as members of the House wished in the interests of various districts the cost would be as much again as- it was. The vote was passed.