PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19252, 16 August 1924, Page 10

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

NOTES FROM TRESS GALLERY

QTkoii Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 14. NAURU SUITRPHOSPH ATEB. Replying to :i question by Mr Bitchener, tbo Minister of Agriculture (t.ho Hon. W. Noswortiiy) said (lie prices usually quoted' for Nauru superphosphate in tlie South Island include the cost of railage, while thc_ Auckland prices usually q noted do not. Tliis partly explains the difference existing between the North and South Island prices. The whole question was; at present being gone into from all points of view. agricultue.au experimental WORK. Replying to another question by Mr Ritchener, Mr Nosworthy said that specially trained officers of the department already give a portion of their time to experimental work in South Canterbury and North Otago, and it would not fcc possible with the present trained staff to do more, than is being done at present in this direction. When the staff is able to be strengthened the further requirements of these districts will bo fully considered. METHYLATED SPIRIT-DRINKING. “ The Government,” soys tbo Hon. Mr W. D. Stewart, ”is fully aware of (ho evil ctfocts which follow' methylated spmtdrinking, and is considering whether any further stops can bo taken to prevent Lie practice.” MAILS TO AUSTRALIA. The Postmaster-General states that ns no mail contract for the conveyance of mails to Australia exists, the Government is not in a position to mako provision for a weekly service via Bluff to Melbourne. It is understood, however, that shipping companies are keeping the position closely under review, and in the event of circumstances warranting such a service the matter will have prompt attention. SAFETY OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. Replying to Mr Howard’s question about the electrocution of a painter at Southbridge, the Hon. Mr Coates states that too question of the safety of electrical connections to overhead lines is constantly under review by tbo Public Works Department. The present regulations covering the insulation of these connections is considered to be sufficient to make these lines safe if the ordinary precautions are taken. A circular memorandum dealing with tho stops to bo taken is being forwarded to ail workers’ organisations particularly interested in those matters. BRAN AND POLLARD. Replying to a question in tho House of Representatives to-day regarding tho supply of bran and pollard at cue price in the South Island, Air W. D. Stewart said the question no doubt, refers to the company known as Distributors (Ltd.), which is the sole, agent, for the sale and distribution of the products of a number, but not all, of tho flour mills of the dominion. Tho operations of this company arc now the subject of legal proceedings under the Commercial Trusts Act, but there is nothing to show that the maximum prices of bran and pollard as fixed by Order-in-Council are being exceeded by millers or their agents. The re-salo ttrices of New Zealand and of imported bran a.nd pollard are not such as to give ground for complaint, and ample supplies of both commodifies arp available to users at prices ox wharf, Wellington, which allow merchants’ agents no greater margin tha.n tho commission which is received from millers. When bran and pollard have to be taken through store at Wellington tho cost is necessarily increased, and when the sales are in relatively small quantities and on credit, prices reach £8 15s loss per oont, for pollard, and £7-15s less per cent, for bran. These prices, however, are exceptional, and much of tho trough store trade is done at lower prices. The bulk of tho trade, however, is done in trucks at Wellington at prices of approximately £7 for brand and £3 for pollard. RAVAGES OF MEALY BUG. To cope with the ravages of mealy bug in oranges tho Department of Agriculture has arranged for the importation of a natural enemy, the ICryplolsemus ladybird. Consignments of this ladybird are expected to arrive, shortly, and it is proposed to breed supplies for distribution from the biological laboratory in tho coming spring. THE DEER MENACE. Tire Mini stir of Internal Affairs elates that tho protection has been removed on both red and fallow deer in various areas in the ,S-onth Island, including an area in the vicinity of lire Blue Mountains. Tho Government has granted £10!X) for tho payment of bonuses for tho destruction of deer in the districts affected, the amount available being allocated in proportion to lire approximate number of deer in tho different districts. It is not possible to provide free ammunition, but the Defence Department will supply acclimatisation societies with ammunition at cost price. DOMINION STATE RANK RILL. In the absence of Air VcMtch (the member for Wanganui), who is recovering from an operation, Air Smith (Taranaki) moved the second reading of the Dominion State Rank Rdl in the House of Representatives this evening. As there is an appropriation of public moneys involved by the Rill Air Speaker declared it was out of order, and it was discharged from tho Order Paper. WORKERS’ COMPENSATION. Tho Hon. Air Anderson raised the question whether Air Howard’s Workers’ Compensation Rill should he ruled out because it is a money Rill. Air Speaker ruled that ns the appropriation was only incidental the Rill could proceed. When clause 12 came up in committee the Chairman of Committees could bo asked to deal with the point now raised.