QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19625, 20 October 1933, Page 4

QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE

A WIDE VARIETY REPLIES BY MINISTERS By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, October 18. In the House of Representatives today, Ministerial replies to questions were circulated. Replying to questions by Mr P. A. de la Perrelle and Mr C. H. Clinkard, who asked what steps the Government was taking in view of the likelihood of the British market being unable to absorb all our exports, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes said the Government was seized with the importance of establishing new markets'for the Dominion's primary products, and steps had already been taken to obtain additional export markets and to develop the existing ones. Every opportunity was taken to bring under the notice of exporters trade possibilities with other countries. The Government had had the question of developing trade with the East under consideration for some time, and had already taken action in various directions with that object in view'. The importance of shipping facilities as a factor in the development of trade W'ith the East had not been overlooked, and the subject w'ould receive further careful consideration by the Government, Direct shipping with certain parts of the East w>as already an established fact. Replying to Mr H. G. R. Mason, Mr Forces said in April last the Chancellor of the British Exchequer had appointed a Committee to report on the law and practice relating to industrial assurance, and assurance on the lives of children under 10 years of age, including the question whether any amendment to the law or any addition to it was desirable. The Committee had just furnished its report, and had made many recommendations. It would be advisable that the question of reviewing New' Zealand legislation regarding industrial assurance should be allowed to remain in abeyance until the results of the suggested alterations to the British legislation had been ascertained. Salary Cuts. Replying to questions by Mr H. T. Armstrong and Mr R. Semple, who asked whether, in view of the increase in price levels, it was proposed to restore the “cuts” in salaries and pensions, and empower the Arbitration Court to review industrial agreements, with a view to increasing wages, Mr Forbes said it was not possible : > take action in the direction indicated. Mr Semple asked whether, in view of the developments that had taken place in the production of oil from coal, the Government would follow the lead of the British Government by gi .big a guaranteed preference or subsidy for oil produced from New Zealand coal. Mr Forbes said he question would receive careful consideration when the report of the ustoms Tariff C ommlssion, which was investigating the matter, was received by the Government. Mr J. A. Lee asked what action the Government proposed to take to enable suburban theatres to obtain films at a price that would allow them to

fix the admission charge in keeping with reduced wages. Mr Forbes said inquiries showed that the greatest percentage of films were hired on a percentage of the bc.t office receipts, and the minimum price of admission was therefore made a condiiton of the film hire contract. The question of a minimum admission price would receive consideration when other matters connected with the motion picture industry were under consideration. Quotas. Mr D. G. Sullivan asked whether, in view of Mr Baxter's statement that the imposition of quotas regulating the importation of dairy produce from New Zealand into Britain was inevitable in order to protect British agriculturists, the New Zealand Government would give similar protection to the people of the Dominion by imposing quotas on the importation of goods that could be manufactured here, thus building up the home market, as compensation for the partial loss of the overseas market. Mr Forbes replied that it was not proposed at present to restrict the import of goods by the adoption of the i quota system. In reply to another question by Mr Sullivan, Mr Coates said there was nothing in (he recent cabled statement by the “Financial News" to suggest that the present time was opportune for opening up negotiations for the conversion of overseas ioans of local bodies. It was considered that the statement referred only to a conversion loan in respect of Government bnods, over which the Government had at present the option of repayment, and this matter was now under negotiation. Third Party Risks. Mr A. E. Ansell asked whether the Government would introduce legislation during the present session to amend the Motor Vehicles Insurance (third party) Risks Act, to provide under the contract of insurance for the paymen' of damages on account of any third party killed or injured as a result of a motor accident, caused through the negligence of the driver of the vehicle, where the negligent party himself had been killed. He cited a case in which it had been held that although the deceased driver had been negligent, and had caused the accident, whereby, in addition to causing serious damage or injury to a third party, the property of the third party had been injured. The deceased had also brought about his own death by his negligence, and the right of the plaintifT against the deceased had died with the deceased. Mr Coa.es replied that instructions had been issued for the preparation of legislation to meet cases of the kind, and at an early date draft legislation would be considered by the Government, with a view to its intr iuction this session. Nationality of Married Women. Replying to Mrs McCombs, the Hon. J. A. Young said the question of the nationality of married women had been receiving serious consideration, and the British Government, had also been in consultation with the other Dominions. The Government had already given provisional Instructions that legislation should be prepared on the subject, but the form of legislation was dependent on the precise fonn in which the proposals on the subject now before the British Parliament became law. Uniformity throughout the Empire in the law relating to nationality was accepted as a desirable principle. The New Zealand Parliament of

itself could not confer British nationality on women, which would have effect beyond New Zealand territory, but by the adoption of the Imperial law the full status of a British subject recognised throughout the world, was conferred. Mrs McCombs, in submitting the question, asked that a woman who married an alien should have the right to retain her own nationality if she so desired. Replying to Mr J. A. Ltnklater, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe said the question of increasing the penalty which might be Imposed for the theft of motor cars was now under consideration.