MANY QUESTIONS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1060, 5 July 1917, Page 11

MANY QUESTIONS.

MINISTERIAL REPLIES.

IMPORTANT MATTERS MENTIONED. MILITARY AFFAIRS PROMINENT. IFri.m Our Own Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, July 4. Many interesting subjects were referred to at "queston time" in the House of Representatives to-day, when Ministers gave their replies to written questions. NO SECRET SESSION. Renlving to I)r A. K. Newman (Wellington East), who asked the Pr>me Minister whether the Government would hold j secret session in order that he and Sir Joseph Ward mitiht show the actual state of the Allies in the war. so that members of Parliament might have data upon which to act during the session, the H' n. W. F. Mnssev said that the Government did not consider a secret session of Parliament necessary. BUTTER-FAT TAX. Mr J. A. Young (Waikato) asked the Prime Minister whether the Government proposed to refund to the dairy-farmers of the Dominion every penny of the tribute which it levied upon that section of the community anil which is now known as the butter-fat tax. or whether, in the alternative. Cabinet proposed to ask Parliament to validate its action in enforcing and collecting what was reallv a tax imposed without the authority of Parliament. Mr Massey rcplied that the intentions of the Government in regard to all financial matters would be laid before Parliament in due course. He reminded Mr Young that the Sunreme Court decided that the levy referred to was not a tax. COLD STORAGE. In reply to Mr G. Hunter (Wai-I pawa), who asked whether the Prime Minister would favourably consider the question of erecting cold storage at the four main centres so that pro-| vision might be made for the storage' of meat and dairy produce in the i event of a shortage of shipping. Mr Hassey said the matter was under consideration bv the Government. CHEESE IN STORE. Mr R. A. Wright (Wellington Sub-] urbs) asked the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Hon. W. F.I Massey»: (1) Whether he would in-! form the House if the cheese in store j at Wellington and elsewhere awaiting shipment to Great Britain had been taken over by the Imperial authorities or was waiting delivery f.o.b. (2) Whether he was aware that a quantity of cheese (said to consist of 33 crates) that was lying in the Harbour Board's store at Wellington from January to May was destroyed by the direction of an official j belonging to this department. (3) i Whether he would state the reason j for such destruction; and if, as alleg-i

Ed, it was unfit for human consumption, would he explain what steps are being taken to safeguard the interests of the British Government in regard to other cheese held in store which may he liable to similar deterioration. (-1) Whether he would, further, in view of the increased cost of cheese to the consuming public in this Dominion and its practical disappearance from the

tables of the wage-earning class as an ! article of diet, and the fact that so much cheese was accumulating at the I several ports of the Dominion with i little or no prospect of its early shipment, advise the withdrawal of sufficient stocks from such stores and E lacing them on the Dominion marets, so as to afford the local consumer a substantial reduction in the price now charged for that commodity? Mr Massey replied that all cheese manufactured in New Zealand for

export up to the end of June had' been taken over by the Imperial Government, and this included almost the whole of the cheese in store at the various grading ports. The reason for the condemnation of 2"> cases of cheese was that, owing to decomposition, the cheese was unfit for human consumption. The cheese in this instance arrived at the grading store in a damaged condition. As the cheese belonged to the Imperial Government, none of it could be withdrawn from store for sale for local consumption excepting at the request of the Home authorities, and to sell at a price substantially below what it had cost would, of course, involve the Imperial Government in heavy loss.

THE FISHING INDUSTRY. Replying lo Mr T. W. Rhodes (Thames) who asked whether the Government would introduce legislation to enable Ihe fishing industry to be financially assisted similarly to the fruit industry, so as to enable adequate cool storage to be provided, and thereby prevent waste and ensure an adequate supply of excellent food at reasonable prices, the Prime Minister said that the Government was anxious to assist the fishing industry by any practicable method, but during the war period dil not consider it advisable lo increase its financial responsibility any more than could be avoided. ENEMY SUBJECTS.

.......... A matter that has engaged some attention was raised by Mr 11. J. H. I' Okey (Taranaki), who asked the Governraeut "whether their attention has been drawn to the fact that a considerable number of enemy subjects are purchasing farms and houses in New Zealand while we are I ! at war. and whether they will take into consideration the necessity or otherwise of holding up all transfers : ' until the cessation of the war." Mr Massey replied: "So far as i Crown leaseholds are concerned, the , Land Boards and the Government ; have already discouraged such trans- ; : fers, and approval has not been given in the few cases that have occurred To prohibit all such dealings v.'ith freehold land would, however, ', require special legislation, and the matter is now under consideration."!, FIXING PRICES. In reply to Mr G. Witty (Riccar-| ! ton) who asked whether the Go-; ▼ernment would give the Hoard of;! Trade legal power to fix prices,: making it mandatory on the part of J purveyors of commodities to secure, 1 permission from the hoard before j 1 raising prices, the Prime Minister ! said it was not intended to transfer ' the responsibility in this important ' matter from the Government to the ' Board of Trade. |' MILITARY SHIRKERS. \ Mr G.J. Voders .-. (MaUiuxa) asked the Minister of Defence "whether \

the Government intends to take power this session to deal effectively with shirkers under the Military Service Act who fail to fulfil their obligations to their country by refusing to report for military' duly on the dales specified by either the military authorities or the Appeal Boards, or who disappear from the military districts in which llicy reside."

Sir James Allen replied that men who failed to fulfil their obligations were deserters, and warrants were issued for their arrest. Further powers were under consideration. THE SECOND DIVISION.

Replying to Mr J. V. Brown (Napier), who asked whether the Minister of Defence woidd make a more liberal allowance for the Second Division than at present suggested, Sir Jaiu.es Allen said that the question was under consideration. THE PENSION GRIEVANCE.

Mi- (i. Witty (Riccarton) asked the of Defence whether he I would have soldiers' dependents' .; pension' application forms simoli- • lied, so that applicants might feel i that they had a rigid to a pension, .land that they were not asking for or .; receiving charity. Sir James [I Allen replied:—"Pensions to the I wives and widows of soldiers, and the guardians of chil--1 dren of soldiers, are payable withIjoul respect to income or property, • and, in consequence, the form of ap- ■| plication required from them is a very simple one, particulars of re[llalionshin onlv being asked for. Be- " gardino all other dependents, how- ■, ever. !he law requires that the War A Pensions Board shall take into con[lsideration the property and income i from all sources of the applicant. [[The present form of application is .{necessary to secure the information •i required." j AN EXAMINATION QUESTION. Mr G. Witty (Riccarton) asked the [Minister of Defence:—"(T) Whether the renort is correct that several men who have been called up bv hal- ' j lot. and have passed the Medical Board as fil for foreign service, have |b?en re-examined a few days after jnn.-l ijien classed as fit for home ser- ■ vice; and. if correct, on whose authority was the re-examine'ion ordered? (2) Whether he will see that ! |hese men b° again examined, and. lif fif, nut into crimp imme-'iatelv'?" "sir James Allen renliod: —"HI Seme men who were classed A and . nassod Pt for foreign service wee | '-e-ev-in-ii'ed shortly afterwards and j.i-.vs"'! C2, and found fit for home iservieo onlv. Re-f xamina'ion is au•borfsed bv the Director-General of ptn-Honi n<- a medical offij >--<r dcoi'fe<l hv him upon evidence heinf! s»*'miitted which justifies reUva.T,,nn»ion. (2) The medical ex""";";,|i"n m-iors of all mi fit men ''•"'i"fU>irr c.?} fire now heinT scru»ir>is"i. ami all m«»n fnun'l fit on re"xamina'ion. vill r»o S ont <r\\n camp." AGE OE SERVICE. In reidv to Mr J. C. Thomson (Wal'ace) who asked whether it was oro"os'.'d to raise the ace of militarV service the AH from 20 to 22 j'ears. Sir James Allen renlied that j it was not nronosed lo raise the age. SEPABATION ALLOWANCE.

;j Rcplving to Mr J. V. Brown (Na--1 trier) who asked whether the Min'lister of Defence woidd amend the regulation giving widowed mothers jwho :>-e receiving less than II- the '] senaration allowance, and make it extend to widowed mothers irrespective of what their income mav be? Sir James Allen said it was not mronosed to pxtend the provisions "I of the regulation.

CRIPPLED SOLDIERS. Mr T. M. Wilfnrd (Hull) asked the Minister of Defence whether "He will this session obtain an appropriation of SUiO.flftfl for the erection ■>nd equipment of four homes for crippled soldiers and for instructors 'o enable them to supplement their , pensions?" Sir James Allen replied that the matter was under consideration by , the Government. SOLDIERS' RAY.

1 Mr T. W. Rhodes (Thames) asked ithe Minister of Defence, whether "it !is Usee that a New Zealand Expeditionary Force order has been issued prohibiting the payment of remiti tances to soldiers except when they are proceeding on leave; and, if so. what will be done to meet the ca«es of those men who are not being paid !J the customary 2/- per day." ii Sir James Allen replied:—'Tabled advice from London has been recciv•jed to the effect that an order has been published slating that in fu- ■| tore remittances will only be paid to 1 , nien when proceeding on leave. No | further information has been receiv- ,:'■(! by the Defence Department. It i [has evidently been considered by the | General Officer Commanding New

j Zealand Expeditionary Force that ! it is necessary to restrict the general ] navment of remittances, as, geneI rally sneaking, our men receive in |pav all the money they require while 1 in France or in the training-camps in j England. Non-commissioned offiI cers who are reverted to the ranks may reduce their allotments, but ■ every effort is made to prevent the j reduction when their dependents, if i any, would sufTer thereby. Where ! the issue of field pay has been temporarily suspended the soldier can ! cable for a remittance to be used in [ reduction of his debit balance, and j Ihe usual field pay can be continued. This is being" done in some cases." FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

Mr G. J. Anderson (Malaura) asked the Minister of Defence, (1) What would be the position in regard to financial assistance granted to a married soldier to pay interest on mm Igages or rent or other purposes specified in the regulations, should he be incapacitated for further military service or killed; (2) would Ihe assistance be continued to such incapacitated soldier if unable to follow his previous civil occupation, or to the widow of a soldier who has been killed. Sir James Allen replied:—"The regulations providing for financial assistance to soldiers of the Expeditionary Force make no provision for the continuance of this financial assistance after the discharge of the soldier. The position of the soldier

who is discharged because oi disablement or ill-health will be met by the War Pensions Act. The regulations do, however, provide that on the death of any soldier for whom financial assistance has been granted the Minister of Defence may continue that assistance, either in whole or in part, in favour of the wife, children, or any dependent of the deceased, for any period not exceeding twenty-six weeks after his death. Any further assistance required would then be granted under the War Pensions Act." INTERNED ALIENS. Mr G. Witty (Riccarton) asked whether the Government would see

that the men on Somes and Motuihi Islands were given employment so as to compel them to earn sufficient to repay the care, expense and attention they received from the Siate. Sir James Allen replied: "The Government has decided that prisoners of war who intimate that they desire employment will be utilised on road-work in Wairaarino. The proposal has not been put into force as vet owing to the period of the year, but steps will be taken to arrange for employment in the early spring. The Government cannot compel interned civilians to work, as such action would be contrary to international law. Prisoners of war in internment camps are required to do so much manual labour as will keen them in good mental and bodily health."

EXAMINING SECOND DIVISION. Mr W. 11. Field (Oiaki) asked Ihc Minister or Defence whether "arrangements will be made for medically examining Reservists of the Second Division a! an early date, in order that men may know at the earliest possible moment whether they are likely to be .-ailed up for service or not, and that those who are passed as fit may thus be afforded a reasonable period of time for putting their affairs in order." Sir James Allen replied: "I regret that it is not possible lo arrange for the medical examination of Reservists of the Second Division before they are called up by ballot, for the following reasons: (a) That the medical examination only has effect for three months, and would have to be reviewed if the Reservist was not railed info camp before the expiration of that time: (b) tiiat it is impossible to provide the Medical Hoards that would be required for ibis purpose. At the present time the Medical Boards are just able to deal with the men called up in the current ballots each month, and any extra boards that mav be appointed will be required to undertake the re-examination of men who have been previously classed as unfit for active service and wdiose cases are io he reviewed before the Second Division Beservists are balloted for: (c) that every Reservist on medical examination is sworn in as a member of the Expeditionary Force; and (d) that Second Division Beservists eoidd onlv be called up for medical examination according to their class, and it will be at least two months vet before the Government Statistician is in a nosition to certify as to the Reservists who have been nlaced in the several classes of the Second Division." ADDINGTON WORKSHOPS.

Mr G. Witty (Riccarton) asked the Minister of Railways whether it was correct, as reported, that men receiving superannuation pay were employed in the Aldington Workshops and in other branches of the railway service whilst married men with large families had been put off: and. if so, woidd he see that the dismissed men were immediately reinstated. The Hon. W. H. Merries replied:— 'Tor the purpose of enabling the department to release as many men as practicable for defence purposes two fitters who were superannuated have been offered employment at Addington, but one man only has reported for duty. This does not in any way affect the position in respect of the men who are being paid off. No fitters have been released for military service, neither have any been paid off. The men whose services have been dispensed with are 'term' and 'emergency men' casuals, whom it was nol practicable to longer employ, owing to shortage of work resulting from the inability of the department lo obtain material ordered from abroad over two years ago. The men who have been paid off will he given consideration for suitable vacancies as thev arise." WOMEN POLICE.

Replying to Mr J. V. Brown (Napier), who asked whether the Attor-ney-General would appoint women police, the Hon. A. L. Herdman replied: "Assistant police matrons have recently been" appointed at each of the four chief centres, and part of their duties will be to assist the police in regard to the protection of young women and children and the detection of offences committed against them. Information has been received that the majority of the women patrols in Great Britain are voluntary workers under the control of private organisations, and they are principally engaged on duties arising out of war conditions which do not exist in this country." STEAMSHIP MERGER.

Replying to Mr C. H. Poole (Auckland West) the Hon. G. W. Russell said the shipping merger was receiving the attention of the Government.