A SOCIALISTIC MINISTER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143763, 11 April 1912, Page 7

A SOCIALISTIC MINISTER.

■WISHES TO NATIONALISE INDUSTRIES. Per Press Association. AVELLINGTON, April 11. _ Replying to a deputation from the timber workers’ conference, -Mr. Lanrenson said he had a good deal of sympathy with the proposal to nationalise the timber industry, but did not think it could he tackled in the near future. He did not see how they could avoid leaving mortgagees a first call in the case of bankrupt employers. He personally favoured increasing the duty on foreign timber, hut that’ would mean raising the cost of living The establishment of a State ferry service would be a necessary corollary to the completion of the South Island main trunk railway. In other points the Minister said he was in sympathy with the objects of the deputation. On the question of the prices of food. Mr. Lanrensnn said that the milk supply_ should be dealt with by municipalities. Under the municipal system the cost of distribution would lie reduced by 75 per cent.