QUESTION TIME

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10686, 4 September 1920, Page 9

QUESTION TIME

M.P.'S WANT TO KNOW The following questions to Ministers -were given notice of by members of tho Houso of Representatives yesterday afternoon:— , RAILWAY INCREASE ANOMALY. Mr T. M. Wilford (Hutt)—To ask the Minister f.or Railways whether ho is aware that in 1912 the railway service received an all-round increase of 6d per day, with the_ exception of the wood-working machinists, whose claims were overlooked at that timo; and whether tho promised readjustment as far *as wood-working machinists are concerned will bo made during tho coming session? DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS BONUS. Mr R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) —To ask the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that the officers of the New Zealand Staff Corps (Defence Headquarters) have not participated in the recent bonuses granted to ' the Public Service; and whether he will have the matter inquired into with a view to rectifying th\> oversight?'. ANIMALS PROTECTION ACT. Mr R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) —To ask tlae Government whether it is intended to introduce legislation this session to amend the Animals Protection Act and the Fisheries Act (part II), as suggested by the conference of Acclimatisation „ Societies? The department, said the honourable member, is in possession, of the remits passed, and, as the societies for the past six_ years have been promised that attention would be given to the proposed amendments, it is hoped the Government will not allow the session to close without passing the necessary legislation. TEMPORARY CLERKS' BON<IT§ Dr. A. K. Newman (Wellington East) —To ask the Prime Minister whether he will arrange that service temporary clerks in the Government service who- ere also committee clerks of this House shall participate as regards the new bonus as if they were paid at an annual rate in terms of the Minister's answer to question No. 7 of. September Ist? Some'committee clerks, said Dr. New-, man, have from six .to about ten years' continuous Government service, but owing to their employment at tho Houso the Public Service Commissioner has not placed them on an annual salary basis, but keeps them on a weekly or monthly one. Under the new scheme,' therefore, they.,' stand tp be penalised about £lB per annum for their services to the Legislature. ASIATIC INVASION. Mr H. Atmore (Nelson)— ask the Minister for Customs whether his. attention has been directed to an item appearing in the'"New Zealand Times" on September 3rd, part of which-reads as follows: "The total number of Chinese who ' have landed at ' Auckland since the beginning of the year is now 581" ; and, if so, what steps does he propose to take to prevent a continuance of this Asiatic invasion? SURPLUS ' WOOL~PROFITS. Mr E. Newman (Manawatu) —To ask the Prime Minister whether he anticipates that further funds will be available for distribution as surplus wool profits over 'the same three clips—namely, 1916-17, 1917-18, 1918-19—on which surplus, profits, amounting, to £1,619,000, are now about to be paid** and whether it is expected that further sums will, bo received to be distributed to-growers of the 1919-20 clip only? OLD AGE PENSIONS. Dr. A. K. Newman (Wellington East)—To ask the Minister-in-charge of the Pensions Department whether he will increase the pensions to old age pensioners who feel so acutely the high cost of living?