IMPORTANT PUBLIC MATTERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2638, 21 October 1909, Page 5

IMPORTANT PUBLIC MATTERS.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE.

[Pint Pittiss Association.! WELLINGTON, October 20. Ministers replying to questions to-day said that the Government is looking into the question of the old age pensions law generally, with the view of ascertaining whether any further relief can be given to old age pensioners without excessive cost to New Zealand. Full information regarding retrenchment will be placed before the House in due course. The return asked for on the subject would not be warranted, as it would necessitate the employment of a special staff to prepare the information. . lit due course a responsible will investigate the matter in connection with the claims of old soldiers who feel that justice has not been done thorn. It was not feasible to convert the Post Office Savings Bank into a Dominion Bank exercising the sole right of issuing the paper currency required by the Savings Bank and private banking institutions in New Zealand.

The queston of taking steps to prevent the flour milling trust and the associated bakers from exploiting the public by fixing arbitrary prices for Hour and bread is receiving consideration, and proposals will be submitted to the House, which will be in ' the direction of giving municipalites greater power than they possess at present. Suitable lands are being acquired in the neighborhood of centres.of population for subdivision into workmen s lots. It is not intended to amend the Timber and Flax Royalities Act this session. „ . It is not considered that the offering pf more liberal terms than those now given would have the effect of increasing the supply of domestic servants to the Dominion. There is no necessity for financial assistance to the Railway Superannuation Fund, as the State insures the fund beino- financially sound. / Replying to further questions, Ministers said. that to prevent any immediate hardship, the concession of free raliway passes to country school teachers taking classes in town had been extended until the end of the year. It is not proposed to extend the Old Age Pensions Act in the direction of providing for payment of pensions to Xiersons under 65 years of age. The arragement for the remuneration of the Chief Justice as chairman of the Native Land Commission was the best that could be obtained, and the ■value of the work done placed beyond question the assumption that the work done by Sir Robert Stout could not have been done more efficiently, expeditiously, or economically than it was done. ’The Premier is now considering all the aspects of the question of the San Francisco mail service, and is now negotiating for a service via Frisco. The Government proposes to submit legislation connected with defence after proposals have been placed before the House. The question of ’referring them to a committee will be considered. The question .of offering a bonus or prize for' the" first 'aeroplaiie manuractured and successfully flown in the Dominion is receiving attention. Any conditions decided upon will be Gazetted. If time permits an amendment to the Workers’ Compensation Act will be brought down this session.