WIDER POWERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24956, 27 July 1944, Page 7

WIDER POWERS

FINANCE BILL CLAUSES WAR NEEDS AND INDUSTRY (S.li.) WELLINGTON. Wednesday Miscellaneous clauses, most of them of a validating nature, are contained in the Finance liill (No. 2), which was introduced and read a first time in the House of Representatives today. The most important clause is one increasing the Government's borrowing powers for war purposes from £300,000,000 to £'350,000,000. The second reading debate on the bill is to be taken tomorrow. For the purpose of developing to the fullest extent the New Zealand flax industry the Minister of Industries and Commerce is authorised by the bill to enter into contracts, provide buildings, laud machinery and equipment, operate factories and dispose of the products. New Authority lor. Reserve Bank Salaries of the Public Service Commissioner and assistant commissioners are fixed at £ISOO and £I2OO a year respectively. There is authority in the bill for the payment of contributions from accounts under the Marketing Act toward capital expenditure for the purpose of meeting wartime requirements or conditions arising after and as a result of the war in connection with the industry to which the particular account relates. Kxcess unauthorised expenditure (hiring'the past financial year is validated by another clause in the bill. The powers of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand are extended by a provision for it to borrow moneys outside New Zealand for any purpose connected with the issue, repayment or conversion of any New Zealand Government securities. This authority is made retrospective to February 1, 1944. Local Body Superannuitants Local authorities are authorised to pay a cost of living bonus to their superannuitants, but the amount of the bonus is not to exceed the amount of such bonus paid by the Government to its superannuitants. A further clause safeguards tho rights of New Zealand teachers serving in Tonga. The bill validates the payment by the Auckland Savings Bank last financial year of £IOOO to the Auckland Returned Services Association, of £250 to the Auckland Sailors' Home; payment of £SOO to the Methodist Central Mission Fund during the year ended March 31, 1912, is also validated.

SHARE-MILKING RATES CONCERN IN WAIKATO UNCERTAINTY ABOUT POSITION (0.C.) HAMILTON, Wednesday "One of the most disquieting things in the dairy industry at present is the unrest being stirred up among tho sharemilkers," said Mr J. L. Faulkner (Morrinsville) at a meeting of tho South Auckland Dairy Association in Hamilton today. "Those of us who have had dealings with share-milkers realise that the majority of them are a very fine type," lie added, "but present happenings are driving a wedgo botween milkers and farm owners." Mr Faulkner considered that some organisation of farmer-employers should be established to protect farmers' interests.

Disapproval was expressed by members of the action of the Farmers' Union in offering a 10. per cent increase to the share-milkers —who had refused it —without consulting dairy associations before beginning negotiations. It was stated that at present neither farmers nor share-milkers knew where they stood in regard to the agreement. A resolution was passed that the association's representatives attending the Dairy Board conference should approach representatives of the Farmers' Union to find out what negotiations had taken place between the union and the sharemilkers and what results had been achieved. A remit from Cambridge, to be forwarded to the Dairy Board conference, dealing with share-milking agreements was received. It stated that as conditions of location, farm efficiency and herd production were so varied it was not considered that one standard sharemilking agreement was desirable or equitable. EDUCATION BOARD RESULTS OF ELECTION The results of the election held fill seven vacancies 011 the Auckland Education Board, caused by the biennial retirement of half of the existing board in accordance with the Education Act, were announced yesterday. Of the seven seats, three are for the Auckland urban area, and one each for the Hamilton urban area and the north, east and west wards of the rural area. The retiring members for two of the rural wards were returned unopposed. They are Mr A. Burns, for the east ward, and Mr J. Patterson, lor the west ward. Successful candidates for the Auckland urban area were Messrs C. S. Morris and M. Priestley, retiring members. and Mr T. Turbott, who replaces Mr W. H. Fortune. Other results were: —Hamilton urban area, Mr •!. M. MeWhnnnell; north rural ward, Mr J. G. Draper. DIVORCE GRANTED HUSBAND AWARDED DAMAGES (0.C.) HAMILTON, Wednesday The dissolution of his marriage n-ith Lilac Jessie Mason was sought by Robert Edward Oliver Mason, enginedriver (Mr King), before the Chief .Justice. Sir Michael Myers, and a jury in Hamilton today on the grounds of adultery. Richard Seddon Alker, a truck driver, was cited as co-respondent and petitioner claimed £2OO damages from him. There were three children of the marriage and petitioner stated that lie i was claiming the damages on the children's account, There was no appearance of either respondent or co-respon-dent.

Mr King said that Mrs Mason had been told ov a fortune teller that she would be a good dancer. She thereupon went to dances, where she met eo-respon-dent. She later left her home and took a room in an apartment house, where Alker visited her. The jury awarded petitioner the full amount claimed. A decree nisi was issued and judgment was entered for petitioner for the amount awarded.

PROBATION FOR THEFT Two charges of stealing money from other men living in the same military hut were admitted by a Maori soldier, James Forenia Rangitutia, aged 22, before Mr F. 11. Levien, S.M., yesterday. Accused was admitted to probation for 18 months. The theft of a purse and contents, valued at £.'s los, was admitted by Thomas Henry White, labourer, aged 2.'i. He was admitted to probation for one year and ordered to make restitution. PUBLIC LECTURE A public lecture by l)r 1. Clonics I loss, dean of the l'ncolty of veterinary science at Sydney University, will be given in the Auckland University College hall at 8 o'clock tonight. Dr Clonics I?oss, who has just completed a three weeks' tour of the Dominion, will speak on "New Zealand Agricultural Products in the Post-war World." A prominent research scientist. Dr. Clonics Ross is probably best, known in New Zealand as the Australian representative on the international Wool Publicity and Research Secretariat in London from to 1!M0.