QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 199, 22 August 1929, Page 7

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

.PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRIES. NEW LEGISLATION PROPOSED. ' I Per Press Association. ] WELLINGTON, Aug. 21. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 to-day. Notice was given of intention to introduce the following Bills: —Hospital and Charitable Institutions’ Amendment Bill (Hon. A. J . Stallworthy); Pacific Cable Sale Authorisation Bill (Hon. J. B. Donald); Shops and Offices Amendment Bill (Hon. W. A. Veitch); Counties’ Amendment, Bill (Hon. P. A. de la Pencils); Apprentice Amendment Bill (Hon. W. A. Veitch); Patent Designs and Trade Marks Amendment Bill (Hon. T. M. Wilford,. Replying to Air S. G. Smith (Taranaki), Sir Joseph Ward stated that the withdrawal form in use by most savings banks was in the form either of a cheque or a receipt, each of which documents was liable to stamp duty of 2d. A withdrawal form that was nvt in effect a cheque or receipt was not liable to stamp duty. Answers to Questions. Replying to Mr R. Semple, the Prime Minister stated that thia question of the provision of facilities for boys and girls to obtain instruction in practical farm work on modern lines was receiving a great deal of attention at the present time. The Board of Agriculture had set up a sub-commit-t.ec to go fully into it and. the Farmers’ Union had also taken it up. In giving consideration to the matter the Government would carefully review it from all aspects, including that, afforded by the system in operation at Flock House.

Air J. O’Brien asked thg Prime Minister whether he would appoint a commission similar to the one appointed by his Government in 1912, to inquire into: (1) The cost of living and the activities of organisations inaugurated for the purpose of maintaining high prices on our principal commodities. (2) The adulteration of foodstuffs and how food is affected by preservation. (3) The weight of articles sold to the public. (4) Whether financial institutions organise for* the purpose of keeping up the interest rate on money loaned, (a) The carriage of general merchandise by shipping companies Sir Joseph Ward replied that the Government did not propose to set up a commision for similar purposes to that set up in 1912 for thfe following reasons: (1) Tha't data with respect to living costs is now regularly collected by tho Government Statistician. (2) That the Department of Industries and Commerce has been established with statutory powers to deal with trust! and combines and to check unreasonable prices being charged for commodities. (3) That the Health Department has power to deal with the adulteration of foods and the use of preservatives. In regard to items £4) and (5) there does not appear to be sufficient justification, in the Government’s opinion, to set up a commission. All the evidence available points to the fact that there is competition, both Governmental and private, to keep interest charges down to a reasonable level. Similar competition also exists in freight charges made by the various shipping companies operating between New Zealand ports and for overseas trade.

Development Commission. The Prime Minister, replying to Mr Semple!, said the Government would, during the recess take steps to inquire into the advisability of setting up a development commission to determine the most effective methods of developing and utilising the natural resources of the Dominion, and by doing so find employment for those able and willing to work. The Government would endeavour to obtain full information on the working of such commissions in other countries.

Replying to Air O’Brien’s question, submitted on Friday last, Sir Joseph Ward stated that the Government was unable to see its way to take into favourable consideration the establishment of a State newspaper. Hon. E. A. Ransom informed Air Howard that it was not prepared to place a sum on the estimates this year to enable experts to examine and report as to whether a tunnel road between Lyttelton and Christchurch would be a help to the economic life of the South Island in particular and the Dominion in general.

Air C. H. Clinkard asked the Minister of Railways: (1) Whether his attention had been drawn to a statement appearing in the Press with reference to timber purchases on behalf of his Department in the Horonui ditsrict: (2) Whether in view of his Department’s undoubted requirements, steps were taken to ascertain what timber was available before the purchase from Mrs Hayes was made, and if not, why not? (3) Whether it is correct that about the time that the purchase from Mrs Hayes was made the block of timber now said to contain 351,000,000 feet was purchased from the natives for less than £5OOO, and if so why was such opportunity lost by his Department? (4) Whether it is correct that the Crown’s best offer to the natives for the lands mentioned in (3) was 2s 6d per acre, and if so, why? Hon. W. B. Taverner replied that the transaction referred to took place in 1919 and as data was not readily available he was having the matter investigated and would supply information later.

Replying to Mr H. Holland (Buller) Mr Taverner said two Garrett engines were now in traffic and a third v T ould commence in traffic during the current week.

Hon. J. G. Cobbe informed Air F. Langstone that when corelative legislative legislation was being introduced, favourable consideration would be given to the suggestion to confine use of the word * r co-operative ” to organisations where cash surplus from manufacturing ,trading or other operations is distributed among the product rs or purchasers of the commodities. Mr Langatone stated legislation on theses lines existed in Great Britain. Mr Cobbe, in reply to Air G. C.

Black, said he proposed to discuss with the manufacturers concerned the suggestion to have the labels of those smoking mixtures retailed as local grown to display the percentage of New Zealand leaf in the blend of the tobacco. Air Cobbe added: “I am already aware, however, that whilst manufacturers are desirous of using a large proportion of New Zealand leaf, there is objection to stating the precise percentage used in the mixtures. Alterations are found necessary in the percentage used, owing to variation in quality of leaf and the desire to maintain the standard required by New Zealand.”