QUESTIONS AND REPLIES

Southland Times, Issue 25836, 22 November 1945, Page 3

QUESTIONS AND REPLIES

EVICTION OF TENANTS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, November 21. The presentation of questions and the circulation of Ministerial replies occupied the attention of the House of Representatives this afternoon. Mr E. P. Aderman (Nat., New Plymouth) gave notice to ask the Minister of Labour, Mr O’Brien, whether he would consider making provision for the appropriate hospital board to be given 48 hours’ notice of the execution of all eviction orders of tenants from houses, so that where children are involved provision might be made for their accommodation. Mr Aderman- said a family of eight, including two children under 10 years of age, was recently evicted on the application of the Public Trustee without the knowledge of any local authority and the county chairman only found shelter for them some time after the eviction was carried out. EFFECT OF VOLCANIC ASH

Mr A. E. Armstrong (Lab., Napier), in an urgent question to the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Roberts, suggested that volcanic ash from Mount Ruapehu might be responsible for mortality among bees hr the Hawke’s Bay area. He said people in the district were suffering from throat and eye afflictions, which were said to be due to ash.

Mr Roberts, replying, said he had been informed that investigations showed the death of bees was probably due to their absorbing lead arsenate from spray applied to fruit trees. This year the trees blossomed for a longer period than usual and orchardists, to protect the earliest formed fruits from infection by the Codlin moth, applied arsenate of lead spray while the trees still carried many blooms.

While it was not considered that volcanic ash caused mortality, said the Minister, he had arranged for a report on this aspect from technical officers of the animal Research Bureau at Wallaceville, to whom a number of dead bees had been sent for examination.

Mr Nash, answering Mr W. A. Sheat (Nat., Patea), said he had received no request from the Australian Labour Council for delegates to be permitted to visit New Zealand seeking financial aid for the strikers. Each individual application for overseas exchange was treated on its merits, and it was not considered any public statement was necessary.

Mr Nash, answering ■ the Hon. A. Hamilton (Nat., Wallace) said it was proposed to allow farmers to enter claims for the special depreciation allowances announced in the Budget in respect of houses erected for the sole use of employees. The scheme mentioned in the Budget will apply to all plant and buildings (acquired after a date to be specified) for use in the production of any taxpayer’s assessable income. ADULT POPULATION Mr Nash, replying to Mr Gerard, who had asked whether in view of the passing of the Electoral Act providing for adult representation only, the adult population figures could be published, said that the figures of the adult population of each county, borough and town district would not be available for some time. To ascertain the adult population a different and more involved procedure was necessary than in the case of the total population. Mr Gerard asked if the information he sought would be given before the next election. The Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, said it would. The next election would not be hurried. The most suitable time for the election would be the end of November or the beginning of December. Mr F. W. Doidge (Nat., Tauranga) asked when the Prime Minister would announce the personnel of the Boundaries Commission. Mr Fraser said the personnel was under consideration at the moment and he hoped to be able to make a statement before the end of this session. CIVIL AVIATION The Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, replying to Mr M. H. Oram (Nat., Manawatu) said the question of the removal of the prohibition on civil flying was at present under Governmental consideration, and he expected to be able to make an early announcement.

Commenting on the Minister’s reply, Mr Oram said aero clubs were anxious to resume activities now that men were returning from overseas. Grounds, club buildings and machines were available, and instead of kiUing the clubs’ enthusiasm the Minister should encourage them by every available means.

Mr H. T. Morton (Nat., Waitemata) supporting Mr Oram’s request, said he was aware there were difficulties. “The whole thing is tied up with the Government’s plans for taking over the airways of the Dominion,” he declared. If young men returning from overseas were not permitted to fly, their skill as aviators would deteriorate. He hoped the Government would do something before the session ended.