QUERIES TO MINISTERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18659, 30 August 1930, Page 6

QUERIES TO MINISTERS.

MEMBER FOR TIMARU’S BUDGET. Parliamentary Order Papers just issued include the undermentioned questions put to Members by the Member for Timaru:— Rev. Clyde Carr (Timaru) asked the Minister of Lands: Whether he approves of a further ballot for the Brinklands Settlement, Fairlie, South Canterbury? [Note.—l am informed that the price asked is from 15s. to £1 per acre, that the first ballot was unsuccessful, that half of the property is swamp land, and the whole of it full of twitch.] Reply.—The Hon. Mr Ransom (Minister of Lands) replied: The offering of Brinklands Settlement for ballot for the second time has already been approved, and the date of the ballot is the 18th August, 1930. Since the first ballot, in January last, there has been a comprehensive scheme of drainagework carried out. Rev. Clyde Carr asked the Minister of Defence: Whether he is aware that the Canteen Funds Board has offered the sum of £IO,OOO per annum for two years to assist in carrying out the recommendations of the Ex-soldiers Rehabilitation* Commission; and, if so, will the Government give further consideration this session to the recommendations of the Commission? [Note. —The offer referred to was made by Colonel Stewart in an announcement at the Rifle Brigade reunion at Christchurch on Wednesday, the 23rd inst.]

Reply.—The Hon. Mr Cobbe replied: I am aware that the Canteen and Regimental Funds Trust Board is willing to assist financially in the establishment of the league and machinery recommended by the Exsoldiers Rehabilitation Commission, provided that other interested bodies—viz., National War Funds Council and Red Cross Society—also assist; but. as proposals to assist ex-soldiers in the way of employment and vocational training are embodied in the general provisions of the Unemployment Bill, it is not deemed desirable to set up a separate organization as recommended by the Commission. Rev. Clyde Carr asked the Minister of Health—(l) Whether his attention has been drawn to correspondence in a Timaru paper asserting that the Government is withdrawing its offer of a subsidy on the rebuilding scheme of the Timaru Public Hospital? (2) Whether the statement is correct; and, if so, whether, in view of the unsatisfactory condition of the present buildings, he t will have the decision reviewed?

Reply.—The Hon. Mr Stallworthy replied.—(l) My attention has been drawn to the correspondence referred to. (2) The statement that the Government is withdrawing its offer of a subsidy on the rebuilding scheme for the Timaru Public Hospital is not correct. It is merely intended that the rebuilding scheme shall not be proceeded with until next year.

Rev. Clyde Carr asked the Minister in Charge of the Police Department: Whether in view of recent happenings in connection with the force and alleged dissatisfaction generally, he will (a) set up a Commission of inquiry with a view to the establishment of an. Appeal Court where dismissals and disratings could be investigated; (b) consider favourably the proposal that such Court should be constituted of, say, Chairmen of local bodies and a Magistrate; and (c) endeavour to prevent the possibility of witnesses giving evidence in such Court suffering any untoward consequences thereby? Reply.—The Hon. Mr Cobbe replied: The question of introducing legislation to amend the Police Force Act with regard to offences, appeals, and reinstatements is now under consideration, and, in view of this fact, it is not considered necessary to set up a Commission of inquiry as suggested.

Rev. Clyde Carr asked the Minister of Internal Affairs: Whether, in the interests of public safety, sufficient inspection and supervision is provided by film exchanges and the Explosives Department concerning (a) the condition of films sent out, and (b) fire hazards in projection-booths of picture-theatres? Reply.—The Hon. Mr de la Perrelle replied: With regard to the condition of films, every exhibitor is being asked to make a report as to the condition of films on receipt by him. Should this report show damage, inquiries will be made by a technical officer as to the cause of such damage. The Film Regulations were brought up to date when they were regazetted under the Cinematograph Films Act last year, and are now in conformity with the latest requirements in Great Britain.

Rev. Clyde Carr asked the Minister of Internal Affairs: Whether he will consider the advisability of increasing the vote for Government publicity, in order that suitable and plentiful literature may be provided for general circulation? Note. —Complaints are made that Canadian publicity literature is more readily available here than New Zealand literature.

Reply.—The Hon. Mr de la Perrelle replied: There is to be no slackening of the work of the Publicity Department in spite of the necessity to curtail expenditure in all Government Department. Almost all mails from overseas include letters of appreciation of the manner in which the Government is making better known New Zealand’s attractions, and those letters bear testimony to the value of the publicity campaigns undertaken. There has been a continued distribution of literature, and efforts are made to see that it circulates in the right quarters.

Rev. Clyde Carr asked the Minister of Public Works: Whether he will cause investigations to be made into the condition of the bottom of the Poolburn irrigation dam, Ida Valley, and its security for a solid concrete foundation?

Reply.—The Hon. Mr Taverner replied: There does not appear to be any i necessity to carry out investigations into the conditions of the bottom of the Poolburn irrigation dam. Before the work was commenced the site was closely examined by several engineers and by a highly qualified geologist, and numerous test shafts were sunk all over the site. Later on when the foundations had been excavated the position was again investigated by the same and other engineers, and also by a high geological authority. The foundations were considered satisfactory, and the excavations are now filled with concrete up to approxil mately ground-level.

| Rev. Clyde Carr asked the Post-master-General: Whether he will take into consideration the desirability of removing the apparent anomaly i obtaining in the Parcel-post Regulaj tions as affecting the respective ! demurrage rates on parcels containing I jewellery ancl all other parcels? [Note—- ! Regulation 36 reads, inter alia, as • follows: “In the case of parcels coni tain ing jewellery the demurrage rate ! is 1 per cent, of the declared value for ! each day after demurrage becomes due and in the case of other parcels a flat' rate of Id per parcel for each day.”] i The Hon. Mr Donald replied: The | demurrage charge on parcels containI ing jewellery, articles of gold or silver, | or precious stones was fixed at a | higher rate than that for other parcels in order to expedite the removal of ' such parcels from the Post Office. Prior to the introduction of the higher t charge the fiat rate of Id a day was

equivalent to a very cheap storage rate for such parcels of high value, and did not compensate the Post Office for the risk it was incurring while the parcels remained in its possession. However, in order that the demurrage charge on this class of parcel may not be excessive, the maximum amount chargeable is limited to £2 for each period of three months or fraction thereof. Demurrage does not commence to accrue until after a parcel has remained in the office of delivery for fourteen clear days (excluding Sundays and holidays). It is not considered desirable to reduce the present charges.