NEWS AND NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 858, 2 July 1910, Page 3

NEWS AND NOTES.

WAS THE HOUSE MISLED? THE DIVISIONS ON THE IMPREST BILL. From what can be gathered, the two amendments which Mr. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, proposed on the Imprest Supply Bill seem to have created a great deal of uneasiness in the Gov-' eminent camp. According to soma Government members, in voting against these amendments they voted against their real convictions, but had no choice as they did not wish to see the Government placed in the awkward position which the Prime Minister stated would arise if Supply was intercepted. Speaking to a Dominion reporter yesterday, a prominent Ministerialist said : I admit that we were in a humiliating position, but what "could we do?" The point at issue (it will be recalled) really was as to whether when Purli;L~ ment arrives at a certain decision and gives constitutional *, expression with regard thereto it should be ignored bj the Executive. During the debate the lrime Minister repeatedly stated that if an amendment 'were carried ou the motion to go into Committee ,of Supply it would mean that the ordinary. salaries in the public service could not be paid next day—in fact, that the delay which would be occasioned in passing supplies would be a very serious matter. It would appear, however, that the alarm of Government members was 'quite, unnecessary, for it would only' have been necessary for the Government to have reintroduced the Bill or again moved the original motion. That this is so will be remembered when it is pointed out'that in 1891, upon a motion to go into Committee of Supply, au amendment was successfully moved. All that happened, on that occasion, ■ however, was that; another motion to go i into Committee of Supply -was immediately proposed and the proceedings, were not delayed appreciably. Another: member of the House also pointed out to the reporter that lie recollected that in 1901 an Imprest Supply Bill was introduced not on the last. day of the month but two days latei. . There-is now a strong opinion that members were misled. in the matter, but the fact remains that 'some members 'will find it hard to explain . their votes : when, : they meet their constituents.

EIGHT MEMBERS STILL UNSWORN. .Of .the .72 'members ; of the House who have .been sworn in so far, only one.. ' Mr- E. H. .Taylor, elected ,to make the i-; affirmation in preference to the usual - form of oath. There are. still, eight. \ members to be sworn, Messrs. .J. V., 13rown (Napier), AY. H. Herries ■■■■> (lauranga), Henuro Kaihau .(Western - v Maori), H. J. H. Okov (Taranaki), To' Rangihiroa (Northern Maori), R. H. ■ Rhodes .(Ellesmero), G. M.' -ThomsonV ; (Dunedm South), and R. W. Smith '. (Rangitikei).

WEAKNESS IN OLD ACE PENSION -< ACT. Mr. T.--E. Taylor has arranged with . 'V a number of members to send the fol- " lowing letter to the Prime. Minister In view of the results accruing to tie large number of old age pensioners 'by " : the amendment of the Act last session, and the fact that the; amendment has • reduced the pension of many and de- " stroyed the pension" of others, we shall 1 - bo glad if you will-receive a deputation ■ i - of members to discuss some means of righting matters. It is admitted that last year's legislation has benefited : a f majority of' pensioners and materially ■ added to their comforts, but A-e feel sure that neither the Government nor the House of Representatives intended l "i to place any disability upon ;any pensioner, that they did not bear prior, toYthe alteration of the law." - The * letter ''' is signed by the-Speaker. Chairman'.'of Committees, Leader of the Opposition, ,-r and practically alii the-members of the House. ' ;

JOTTINGS. During' a reference to : Trusts in the Legislative Couiieil yesterday by the Hon. J. T. Paul, M.L.C., the' AttorneyGeneral (Dr f Findlay) said, in reply to a statement by Mr.'Paul, "combines are;the.eggs out of which Socialism will be hatched." Mr., Paul,' lvith evident relish, quickly replied, "I am glad; to hear the Leader of the Council say that; the only way that combines can be dealt with is to nationalise them." Dr. Findlay explained with haste that he did not say it was a good or a bad way. He simply said that the combine was the chief friend of Socialism.

Some remarks by Mr. Dive, M:P. for "r Egmont, with reference to fhe'visit ol - Hon.-- R. M'Kenzie, Minister -for -■ Public Works, to his district, caused a' good deal of amusement in the Houso' last night. He said: "When I . asked ;' him to have a look round he had the audacity to say that he did not work • on Sundays." (Laughter.) "Why."--added Mr. Dive, "I don't believe thai a Sunday goes past without there being a Cabinet.. meeting.".: (Further , laughter.)