MINISTERS’ REPLIES TO QUESTIONS ASKED IN PARLIAMENT

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 September 1950, Page 6

MINISTERS’ REPLIES TO QUESTIONS ASKED IN PARLIAMENT

PARLIAMENT BLDGS., Last Night (PA).—Twenty-four Ministerial replies to questions were circulated in the House of Representatives today.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Holland), answering Mr. F. Jones (Opp., St. Kilda) said the Government had made no arrangement and had given no directions for any civil servants to be photographed individually or collectively. “On inquiry, I find that the Commissioner of Taxes had arranged for group photographs to be taken in each branch entirely for purposes of identification and staff administration. Individual photographs were neither required nor asked for. Instructions have, however, been given for the practice to be discontinued. Mr. Algie (Minister of Education), answering Mr. T. H. McCombs (Opp., Lyttelton), said the National Council of Adult Education allocates the grants the Government makes to it, and he thought the council would continue to assist, either directly or through its regional councils, those drama organisations whose work was deemed by the National Council to be worthy of assistance. Mr. Bodki n (Minister of Infernal Affairs), answering Mr. P. G. Connolly (Opp., Dunedin Central), said grants of £2OOO to the Boy Scouts’ Association and £lOOO to the Girl Guides’ Association would be made this year in the ordinary way. These were the same grants as were made last year. EFFECT OF WOOL BRICE. Mr. C. M. Bowden (Minister of Customs), answering Mr. C. H. Chapman (Opp., Wellington Central), said an investigation to ascertain the probable effects of the rise in wool prices on the price of woollen goods was at present being carried out. Mr. Chapman had asked the Minister to cancel Ih e proposed removal of the subsidy on woollen garments. Mr. Bowden added that no final decision on the question raised by the honourable member would, therefore, be possible until the results of the investigation have been examined bv the Government.

Mr. Bowden, answering Mr. W. E. Parry (Opp., Arch Hill), said the question of providing for additional motor truck imports was at present receiving attention. The existing allocation in respect of commercial trucks was, as indicated in the licensing schedule, an interim one only.

Mr. Bow’den, answering Mr. Connolly, said the Price Control Division had always scrutinised the landed costs of goods as returned by traders, and had disallowed unwarranted charges. This policy would be continued in future. Mr. Connolly had asked the Minister to ensure that traders having additional commissions debited to them in order to build up their overseas exchange, should be prevented from passing these sums on to consumers in added prices. Answering a similar question by Mr. McCombs, Mr. Bowden said that appropriate action would be taken in anv proved cases of breaches of the regulations. The position was being closely watched. Mr. Broadfoot (Postmaster-Gene-ral), answering Mr. Connolly, said thpr-’ was no present, intention of making further increase i n board charges at Post Office hostels. Mr. Broadfoot told Mr. McCombs that there was no present intention of increasing the inland air mail letter postage rate. SALE OF AIRWAYS. Mr. Goosman (Minister of Works), answering Mr. McCombs, said that no decisions have yet been made as to the terms and conditions of the sale of the National Airways Corporation, but the matters referred to are receiving the consideration of the Government. Mr. McCombs had asked on what terms and conditions of sale the National Airways Corporation would be sold and, in particular, what charge would be made for the use of £3,500,000 worth of aerodromes and services essential to safety provided by the Civil Aviation department at an annual cost of £2,149,000. Mr. Goosman said that the services essential to safety represent only a proportion of the total appropriation of £2,149,000 for the Civil ?_viation and Meteorological Services for the current financial year. The balance comprised grants for air-line losses (£349,000), South Pacific trunk services (£300,000), and meteorological services, other than for civil aviation (£172,000). Mr. Watts (Minister of Health), answering Mr. Nash (Opp., Hutt), said it was not the intention of the Government to increase the rates of invalid or other social security benefits in order to help meet the increased charges for telephone rentals. Mr. Marshall (Minister in Charge of the State Advances Department), answering Mr. T. P. Paikea (Opp., Northern Maori), said that allocations of temporary'houses would be made according to the circumstances of individual cases. There will be no discrimination on racial or any other grounds, said the Minister.