PARLIAMENT

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 84, 14 August 1923, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Per Press Association. Wellington, August 13. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Ministers gave the following answers to questions: That if necessary a Royal Commission mould be appointed to take evidence throughout the country in order to get a clear and unbiased perception of the real state of things to-day, especially in relation to mortgages and the finance required to meet the current demands of the producers of the Dominion. That the position with regard to the moratorium is being very closely watched, and whatever action is deemed necessary will be taken in sufficient time to prevent hardship to settlers with mortgages. So fa.r as it is possible to do so priority of claim to relief will be .granted. That it is not intended to amend the Shops and Offices Act prescribing a minimum wage for Asiatics. The Act already provides a minimum wage for young persons, and if any other minima are desired the matter may bo dealt with by means of an application made in the usual manner for an award or an agreement. That inquiries have been made in respect to the present prices of linseed oil cake and it has been ascertained that the increases in the price of cako have followed upon the increased cost of linseed. The price paid to the producer in New Zealand in May of this year was £6 per ton higher than for the corresponding month of last year and for the months of June and July the p ;, ice paid in excess of last year's was £3 os per ton. The comparatively high cost in New Zealand at present is pa/tly due to the high ruling in the world's markets and partly to the large quantity of seed damaged .by the recent floods in th e South Island. Thi s delayed the harvesting of crops and has caused a temporary Shortage of linseed. Evidence also goes to show that the manufactured product is being sold at below the price at which it could be imported. That instructions have been given for the suspens-'on of military parades in centres where influenza i« prevalent.

That the Department of Industries and Commerce ; s in communication with a steamship ov, in liimi Peru, who wishes to place a vessel in the direct trade to Now Zealand. Full details have been sent to him in regard to the return cargo thai, could be supplied from New Zealand, ft fs stated that a large range of commodities is available for export to New Zealand from the various republic* on the western littoral of South America, ircluding rice, sugar, cocoa, coffee, wine.s, kerosene, benzine, nitrates, o;uano and salt. The establishment of a direct steamship so'vice between New Zealand and the west coast of South America should therefore result in the development of trade between the two countries, provided the various commodities are suitable in quality and price tor the market requirements of the countries concerned