QUESTIONS AND REPLIES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8482, 17 July 1913, Page 8

QUESTIONS AND REPLIES

PICTON AS A NAVAL BASE. Replying to Mr It. McCallum (Wairau), tho Prime Minister stated that "no doubt tho hydro graphical conditions of Picton render it a. ■ suitable harbour for the sheltering of ships, iiaval and merchant, but there are many important considerations to bo Oaken into account in the selection of a naval baso for tho Dominion." Mr McOallum said that for evasion tho reply could net bo beaten. He had not asked what the Primo Minister thought of the selection of a base; that was a question for tho Home authorities. The depth of water An Auckland harbour would always preclude it from being a naval base, and the Minister being an Aucklandw, and having a largo following there, had deliberately evaded the question. Mr G. W. Kussoll (Avon) supported tSIr McOalium's view. He said he did not wish to raise the insular question, but the base must bo where hoth coasts could bo commanded. FLAXMILL EEGULATIONS.

Asked ' wlia/t, steps ho intended to tako to ensure that the recently gazetted regulations for living-accommo-dation at llaxmills and sawmills bo properly complied with, the Hon. W. V. Massey replied: “Steps have already been taken with ,a view to seeing that the regulations are complied with. Immediately the regulations were gazetted copies of same, with circular memoranda, were sent to millowners, and instructions were at the same timo issued to the various inspectors to inspect the accommodation provided at the different mills. The Chief Inspector expects to receive reports upon the accommodation at all these mills by the end of the present month. In regard to the flaxmills near Foxton, the Palmerston North inspector, together with tho District Health Officer, visited Foxton on the Ist inst. and discuiffled the regulations with a number of the mill-owners.” SAWMILL AREAS. “There is no intention at present of interfering with the method of granting applications for sawmill areas through the Warden’s Court, but tbo whole question of control requires and will receive the serious consideration of the Government;,” said tho Prime Minister in reply to Mr T. E. Y. Seddon (Westland). SPECIAL RATING AREAS. Mr J. A. Young (Waikato) asked tho Prime Minister whether ho would bring in legislation to mako provision for settlors in any country disti ict to constitute themselves into a special rating area with rating powers for the purpose of raising funds to subsidise ■a resident doctor practising within such district. The Prime Minister replied, “This question will be considered. The Government will be glad to confer with the honourable member on the subject of the legislation suggested.” DOMINION MUSEUM. The Prime Minister stated that it was not tho intention of the Government to proceed at present with the erection of a portion of the Dominion Museum. The Government would later on propose the appointment of a committee of tbo House to consider the question whether the Parliamentary Library building and the grounds attached thereto were not more suitable than the site of tho present Museum. ’} ' Mr G. W. Russell (Avon) said that it was a scandal that cases of valuable exhibits which were stored in tho cellars of tho museum as far back as 1864 were still unopened. AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES. •‘The whole matter of agricultural colleges and experimental farms will be referred to tho proposed Board of Agriculture as soon as tho board is established, and doubtless tho claims of Southland will receive full consideration,” stated tho Hon. W. F. Massoy in reply to a suggestion that ah agricultural college bo established in Southland. A similar reply was given to Mr Dickie, regarding the claims of Selwyn. PARK AT TONGARIRO. Asked by Dr A. K. Newman whether tho Government would extend the limits of tho National Park at Tongariro and tako steps to preserve its special flora and fauna, tho Hon. W. F. Massey stated that this was one af the subjects dealt with by tho Forestry Commission, and its recommendation on tho matter would be duly considered. LAND PURCHASE BOARD.“It is not considered that tho change suggested d'ould be an improvement on tho stystom in operation at present,” said the Prime Minister in regard to suggested abolition of the Land Purchase Board and vesting its powers in the land boards. “TWO (2) BALLOTS.” The Minister of Lands, asked whether ho would define what constitutes' “two (2) ballots” in connection with applications for land, as different land hoards interpret the term in a different: manner, stated that the provision referred to would be amended in tbs: Land Bill of the present session, so as to make the Jaw perfectly clear ou the point referred to.

STUD STOCK .FOR SOUTH AMERICA.

“If good shipping facilities and suitable freight charges were available, a profitable and permanent market for stud stock from Now Zealand ought to bo obtainable in South America; but tho present position does not warrant : tho . chartering of a steamer, which would have to be of considerable size, and for which little, if any, return freight would bo available. It is understood! that the practice of steamers from New Zealand to Great Britain calling at Punta Arenas was abandoned owing to the additional Insurance charges payable on. shfilpis passing through the Strait of Magellan. jThe whole question will be further gone into with a view to determining whether anything can be done by the Government in the direction of developing tho trade.” This statement was made by tho Hon. W. F. Massey in reply to a suggestion that tho Government should charter a ship to convey stud stock to Punta Arenas. Mr W. Nosworthy (Ashburton) asked whether the Government would not go further, and do something towards guaranteeing some of tho insurance on stock to Punta Arenas, or even to other ports in South America. NOXIOUS WEEDS. Asked whether he would amend the Stock Act so as to prevent the spread of troxious weeds by regulating or preventing driving of stock through infested country, Tho Prime Minister stated that tho Government did not seo its way to take action in the direction suggested. “There are many plants that have been declared noxious weeds by tho local authority of ono district and not by that of the neighbouring districts, and for this and other reasons regulations on 4 the subject would be quite impracticable.” ACCIDENT INSURANCE.

The Government, said the Prime Minister, was considering the question of allowing county councils to establish a special Accident Insurance Fund. OPOSSUMS. “The extermination of opossums in all districts where fruit is grown is desirable, and will not bo prevented. Tho Government has under consideration the question how far the animals can bo protected within certain defined forest areas remote from orchards?” was stated by the Prime Minister in reply to Dr. A. K. Newman (Wellington East). Dr. Newman expressed dissatisfaction with the reply. The Government had only to wait another thrfee or four weeks and all the opossums would bo slaughtered. Some of the southern acclimatisation societies had passed resolutions protesting against the open season for opossums. Air A. S. Malcolm (Clutha) said that where settlement was proceeding it was not advisable to have opossums protected. The effect of tho open' season for the animals had been to raise the price which the settler got from the skins from 2s 6d to 4s, 6s, and even up to 15s each. Mr H. Atmoro (Nelson) said he could not often commend the Government, but in this matter he could. He said that the opossum was a menace to the fruit industry, and quoted a case in Nelson where from a 9-acre orchard from which £2OO of almonds should have been gathered, only 401 b weight were taken. WORK ON SUNDAY. Mr L. M. Isitt (Christchurch. North) asked tho Minister of Labour wheither it was a fact that female employees in confectionery establishments, whenever they receive a whole holiday during the week, could bo made to work oh tho Sunday without remuneration; and, if so, would ho take steps to remove tho injustice? Tho Hon. W. F. Massey replied, “There is no specific prohibition in tho Shops and Offices Act of the employment of assistants on Sunday. In the caso of assistants employed in hotels and restaurants, for example, it is necessary that Sunday work ho permitted, and in a number of instances the assistants employed in restaurants are engaged in tho sale of confectionery.” The Minister undertook to make inquiries, if furnished with particulars. ITEMS ON ESTIMATES. “Members of Parliament aro within their rights in communicating with local authorities on tho subject of local wants and requirements,” was tho reply of the Hon. W. F. Massey when asked whether ho approved. of tho action of members writing to local authorities, with a request that they should inform tho writ-era what items they would like placed upon the Estimates. GORE FLOODS. A report is being obtained as to tho number of State employees who have suffered by the Goro floods, together with their estimated loss. As soon as ■this information is available the Government will consider the question of making a compassionate allowance to them, stated tho Hon W. "Jr. Massey. “DOES NOT EXPRESS THE POLICY.”

Mr G. W. Russell (Avon} asked the Prime Minister whether ho had consdered the statement, made by tho Minister of Marine at Wellington on Juno 9th, that “the day might not b,s far distant when the Government i.i.ght find it economically sound to baud over the trust of its-., charitable institutions to the Salvation Army”; and, if so, did this express a statement of Government policy, it having been made in tho presence of the Prime Minister, and were tho Government contemplating handing over all oi« phana-ges. industrial schools, and other charitable institutions to the Salvation Array? “The statement referred to does ncS express the policy of tho Government,’* was the Hon. W. F. Massey’s reply. Mr Bussell said in this case tho Minister did not express tho mind of the;

Government, and it was satisfactory to know that (the -Prime -Minister diu not accept it. He thought the Prime Minister would bo grateful to him for drawing attention to the fact that the Minister did not express the "mind of the Government. Hon. F. M. B. Fisher: You are always full of gratitude. SALARIES OF TEACHERS. Asked whether it was his intention to mako the teaching of children more attractive by increasing the salaries of lower-paid school-teachers, the Hon. James Allen said that this matter was under consideration, but it was doubtful if any legislation could bo introduced during the present session. Mr Witty said that the answer was unsatisfactory. Tho Government was giving high salaries for the good positions, but the lower-paid teachers were .still neglected. These people had tho 'training of the young in their charge, ■and it was time something was done to ,'raise their salaries. DIVISIONAL CAMPS. Tho Minister of Defence, asked .'whether the sites for the four big idivisional camps to be held during tno ivisit to the Dominion of General Sir jlan Hamilton had been selected ? stated that reports had been called for from the officers commanding districts ias to the most suitable sites available iin their respective districts, and as soon ; as these all came to hand a final selection would be made. | AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOLS. "It is proposed to refer the important and somewhat difficult question of the establishment of agricultural high schools or colleges to tho Education Committee, which is to deal with I the report of the Hiducation Commisjeion," stated the Minister of Education in reply to Mr G. R. Sykes (Mashterton). TERRITORIALS ON TRAMS.

The Minister of Defence, referring to suggested free tram rides for cadets and territorials, said that free railway passes were issued to territorials and senior cadets travelling on military duty, including proceeding a distance to drill. “ The department also does its best to afford special treatment in instances where attendance at drill necessitates a long journey by tram, but, so far, although the tramway authorities in the different centres have been repeatedly approached, ‘it has not been possible to secure any concessions on tho trams.” WELLINGTON STATION.

“It is intended to make a commencement with the central railway station at Wellington as soon as the plans aro completed and funds are available. The preparation of plans for a work of this kind is one of considerable magnitude, and the greatest possible care has to be exercised to provide a scheme that will he sufficient to meet all tho requirements of the business for many years to come. It is my intention to ask the House for power to raise a special loan, to be spread over a term of years, for this and other largo works in other cities and towns.” This statement was made by the Hon. W. H. Herries, Minister of Railways, in reply to Mr W. H. D. Bell. RAILWAY MATTERS.

The Hon. W. H. Herries stated that he could not make any reduction in the rates for conveyance of lime. As far as the department was aware, proper provision already exists for the transit of foodstuff over the railways. Tho Minister could not vary the provisions of the regulation made, solely for the purpose of enabling fruitgrowers to obtain shocks or cases, for the carriage of their fruit, direct from the bush or sawmill. Where timber is conveyed from a sawmill to a factory the tariff rates must be paid.

It was his intention to obtain power by legislation for authorising the holding of public inquiries into accidents similar to that which occurred at New Lynn. He regretted he was unable to depart from the decision respecting the attendance of Government workshops’ apprentices at technical colleges during the daytime. “Apprentices are afforded every opportunity for becoming proficient at their trades in the railway workshops, and they can, of course, supplement this by attending the various technical classes that are hold in the evenings in different centres at which they are located, or in the case of Christchurch by taking a course at the Canterbury College.” The Minister could not see his way to arrange that railway employees should receive their wages on Thursday instead of Friday. He regretted being unable to place on the superannuation list those railway men who were over the regulation age at the time they entered the service. Such men were employed as casuals only. The Minister announced his intention to amend the railway regulations shortly, and copies would be • laid on the table of the House and referred to the Railways Committee after they were gazetted. The suggestion to carry children under six years of age free of charge would be considered when the General Manager arrived, said Mr Herries. The Hon. D. Bnddo (Kaiapoi) aid the Government should grant the concessions asked for, especially for the backblocks pe'ople who could not leave thefr children with neighbours. The present Government were in a better position than the "Ward Government to grant concessions, because the railways were now paying, and paying handsomely. “UNDER A MISAPPREHENSION.” Mr H. Atmqro (Nelson) asked the Minister of. Railways whether, in view of the allegations made against the efficiency of the Railway Department during the last six months of administration, ha would take such stops as may be necessary to remove the defects? It was stated that within the last six months 5000 sheep'had been seen waiting on the road for a fortnight because there were no trucks.

The Minister of Railways replied: "This matter will receive consideration. I, have investigated the statement that 5000 sheep had been waiting on the road for a fortnight because there were no trucks, but am unable to find that any such instance has occurred. The various traffic managers, to whom the matter has been referred, all inform rne that no such instance has occurred in their districts. It would therefore anpear that the statement was made under a misapprehension." Mr L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North) said he would like to congratulate the Minister of Railways on his crushing reply—(laughter)— : to the ?hember for Nelson, to the statement that 5000 sheep had been kept waiting- for a fortnight. He mentioned the matter in order to point out the stupidity of the arguments advanced by youthful politicians in favour of the control of the railways being placed in the hands of a general manager.

SECOND-CLASS “SLEEPERS.” Regarding a sleeper for second-class passengers on the Main Trunk line, the Minister of Railways stated that the expense of fitting and hauling sleeping-cars was very heavy, and the practical experience in respect to the first-class sleeping-cars was in_ the direction of showing that, except when there was a large number of passengers on the trains tho cars were not used to any extent during tho ‘ daytime. “The provision of sleeping-cars for soc-ond-olass passengers would therefore involve a very heavy expenditure which, I regret, I cannot undertake.” WELLINGTON-PALMERSTON. “I regret to say that no officer has yet been found available to attend to this work,” said the Minister of Public Works when asked whether trial surveys had been made of any proposed routes of deviation of the WelliugtonPalmerston North railway line. The Minister also stated that the question of adopting some better route for tho railway line between Wellington and tho Wairarapa was having tho attention of the Government. ARTERIAL ROADS. Asked whether the Government would consider tho advisability of the State takiug over the control and upkeep of tho main arterial roads in the Dominion, the Minister of Public Works stated that this matter was receiving the serious consideration of the Government. Mr G. W. Forbes (Hurunui) referred to the road between Cheviot and Kaikoura, which required a good deal of expenditure to keep it in order, and the local bodies had not enough funds to maintain it properlv. Mr P. Mander (Marsden) thought the Government should take over the main arterial roads. The main north road was in a deplorable state. MINING ACT. The Minister of Mines, replying to a question whether he intended to introduce any mining legislation dealing with the important recommendations of the Mining Commission of 1911, said that an amendment to the Mining Act would be introduced this session. PUBLIC TRUST. Mr G. Witty (Riccarton) asked the Minister in Cnarge of the Public Trust Ofiice whether he would cause to be more generally known the extensive existing facilities of tho Public Trust Office in doing legal work, and tho advantages it otters to poor people to get transfers and conveyances prepared when purchasing lauds from the Public Trustee ? [Tho public Trustee in his last report stated the charge to be £1 Is for each transfer.] The Hon. A, L. Herdman replied: As stated by the Public Trustee in his report the class of legal work referred to is not dona for the sake of the fee,, but solely to quicken the windiug-up of the estate and to procure the best possible price for the land. It is confined to small sales or to cases where no solicitor is acting for the purchaser. It is not considered necessary to incur expense in advertising these advantages, as the practice is made fully known to all who do business with the office.

“WERE APPLICATIONS CALLED?”

“Wore applications called for .the important and well-paid appointment recently conferred on Mr Robert Darroch; and, if not, why not?” was asked the Government by Mr T. M. Wilford. The Hon. A. L. Herdman replied that Mr Robert Darroch had not been appointed to any important or well paid position. “He has been engaged by the Commissioner of Police to coach by correspondence tho.se members of the force who are preparing to sit for the examination qualifying them for promotion to a higher rank which is to be held in September next. The gentleman in question is headmaster of the Roseneath school, and his abilities as an instructor have been well tested. In this case there was no need to call for applications, as from inquiries made it was found that the experience of the Post and Telegraph Department showed that Mr Darroch was admirably qualified to conduct the teaching. For a number of years he has coached officers of that department by means of the correspondence system, with great success and to the entire satisfaction of those in charge. Mr Darroch commenced his duties on May Ist last, and his contract is to instruct up to a hundred and fifty non-commission-ed officers and men in various parts of the Dominion at a remiineration of £3 3s per week.” CHEQUES AT SAVINGS BANKS.

Regarding a suggestion that Post Office Savings Banks depositors should operate on their accounts by cheques, the Hon. R. H. Rhodes stated that this question had from time to time received great consideration, and it was found to be inadvisable to bring the Post Office Savings Bank into line with commercial banks in the matter of provision being made whereby depositors may issue cheques. As promised in August last the position had been reviewed and the reply given to the effect that the Post Office Savings Bank was not constituted for commercial purposes, and that the power of withdrawal by cheques, if it were given to depositors, would entirely alter the constitution of the bank, must be adhered to. BONUS FOR OYSTER BEDS. “There is no provision in the Fisheries Act, 1908, for granting a bonus or royalty to the discoverer of an oyster bed, but the Act provides that when a person discovers a natural oyster bed on or near the coast of the Dominon, the Minister may grant him an exclusive license to use it for a period not exceeding three years. The suggestion that a bonus should be offered will receive consideration of Cabinet,” said the Minister of Marine, in reply to Mr McCallum (Wairau). INDRABARAH INQUIRY. The Minister of Marine, replying to Mr T. M. Wilford, in regard to the Indfabarah inquiry, stated that it was the practice to appoint two assessors on formal investigations into shipping casualties, and, if possible, the shipmasters selected were men who had had experience in the trade in which the casualty occurred. “Every endeavour is also made to ensure that at least one of them shall have been in command of a similar ship to that which has met . ith the casualty. There is, however, frequently great difficulty in obtaining uitable men with these qualifications, , the choice is restricted owing to the disinclination of masters in active service to sit on inquiries. In the case of the Indrabarah inquiry it was originally intended to appoint n master who had been in command of similar vessels and who had been in charge of vessels trading through Cook Strait, and another master who has had considerable experience in various ports of the world, but the agents of the vessel objected to the former, and therefore another master was appointed in his place who is a thoroughly compietent shipmaster. and who has had experience in command of vessels trading through Cook Strait.”