PARLIAMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 2 December 1927, Page 7

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BUSINESS YESTERDAY (By Telegraph) (From “Tho Mail’s" Pariiamaatary P,eportar). WELLINGTON, Ist Dec. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Mr T. M. Wilford (Hutt) gave notice to ask the Minister of Customs whether he is aware that the market gardeners at tho Hutt Valley who have, to grow cucumbers under glass are required during tho months of July, August, September, October, November, December, anjd January, to compete witli Australian growers who produce their cucumbers in tho open; and whether he is aware that the said market gardeners cannot in the,so months compote successfully with the Australian producers; and if so, will lie take such steps as will give to the "local growers, notwithstanding the competition, a lair margin of profit in this local industry. “The cost of competition, taking into ensideration the cost of manures, seeds, labour, and firing for cold periods, leaves little margin of profit,” said Mr Wilford.

MEAT TRUSTS Mr W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne) gave notice to ask tho Right, lion, the Prime Minister: “Reverting to the question J recently asked the Prime Minister, regarding tho rumour or suggestion that Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., were,being financed by or on behalf of one of the American meat trust firms, and that they were negotiating for a working interest in one of the local freezing works, I desire to further ask the Prime Minister if lie is unable to definitely and conclusively ascertain lor whom the £701,350 of debentures issued by Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., are held in various amounts by trustees as disclosed liy the filed particulars with the Registrar of Companies. Will he see that legislation is passed before tho present session ends, providing some machinery- that will compel a trustee who has filed pai 1 - ticulars with the Registrar of Companies regarding debentures he holds m trust, to disclose for whom he holds them, otherwise it will be impossible to properly deal with tho dangers of the operations of the meat, trust iil this Dominion?”

Mr E. J. Howard (Christchurch South) gave notice to ask tire AttorneyGeneral if he would introduce legislation 1c compel the Australian Performing Rights Association to disclose what copyrights it liold.s and, 1° fix the fees that may be charged by the association. Mr P. Eraser (Wellington Central); asked ihe Minister of Public Works if he had gone into tlie question concerning the pier of the new bridge across the Hutt road.

The Hon. K. S. Williams replied that he had received an estimate of the cost of erecting a bridge without a pier, but before coming to a, decision he would like to- have an interview with. Mr Fraser and tho members of the deputation which recently interviewed him on the subject . UNEMPLOYMENT

Mr R. W, Smith (Waimarino) asked the Minister of Public Works whether he had been able to find work for a number of men in the Waimarino electore : e.

The Hon. K. S. Williams replied that arrangements had been made for placing a number of men and retaining the services of others on main highways work

Mr W, J,. Martin (Raglan) asked the Minister of Railways whether in view of the fact that men were being dismissed from the house factory at Fraiikton, there was to be an extension of dismissals. Unemployment was rife in the district, and there were numerous rumours that there were to be a number of further dismissals.

The Right Hon. J. G. Coates stated he would be glad to make inquiries into the position.