LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2292, 28 October 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A striking comparison which showed tho effects of the prudent administration of the Government was made by, tho Hon. J. Alien, Minister of Finance, in ,tlio House yesterday afternoon. Mr. Allen 6aid that the liabilities under the Public Works Fund on March 3, 1914, were £992,093. The balance to credit in the fund, together with loan moneys to receive, was £1,406,000, leaving an available balance of some £400,000 after moet\ng every liability. But on June 30, 1912, twelve days before the Government caino into office, the liabilities under the fund were £1,649,000, while the available funds were only £777,000. "This IB a most astounding difference to have taken place in a little over two years," said Mr. Allen, "and I say that the Government deserves tho credit of every man in the House, even the Leader of the Opposition, for Laving placed the Public Works Fund in so much better position than it was as they found it whea thoy came into office."

It was announced by the Eev. Mr. Hinton at the meeting addressed by Mrs. Snowden last evening that the State of Virginia (America) had declared for Prohibition by a majority of 33,000 votes. The news had only come that evening.

One' of the Opposition cries before and after last election was repeated by Mr. G. W. Russell in the House of Representatives yesterday—that the people, anticipating hard times on the coming into offioe of "a Conservative Government." and also having no confidence in the Government, had withdrawn their money from the Post Office Savings Bank. He declared that in the days of the "Liberal" Government the Post Office had regularly Bupplied the Government with as much as a million a year. These statements were refuted by the Postma6ter-General, Mr. Rhodes said that it was true that on three occasions the Post Office had received as much a-s a million pounds a year by excess of deposits over withdrawals. Two of these years were 1906 and 1907, but iu 1908 the excess dropped to £256,000, and in 1909 to £111,000. The Mackenzie Ministry held the record for excess of withdrawals over deposits in one week—£66,ooo in the first week in July, 1912. . The "Liberal" Government had also to their credit, or discredit, an excess of withdrawals over deposits over a year—£ls,662 in 1894. He was glad ,to announce that in the September quarter of this year the excess of deposits over withdrawals was £101,800, and this after two months of European war. This was proof of tho prosperity of the country, and proof also of the confidence of the people in the Government.

The Friendly : Societies' 'Amendment Bill, which hae ■ been introduced by the Hon. F-, M.oB. Fisher, gives the Registrar of Friendly Societies power, if he sees fit, to exempt any society or branch from the \equircments of Section 30 of the principal Act in respect of any amendment providing for the postponement or waiver of the payment of the whole-«r any part of any contribution payable by (a) any member of the society or branch who is or hereafter becomes a member of the Defence Forces of New Zealand on active service; or (b) any other memberof tho society or branch during any period of- unemployment occasioned, either directly or indirectly, by the war in which His Majesty is engaged at the passing of this Act. The section of the principal Act referred to provides that if in the opinion of* the Registrar any amendment of a rule may adversely affect tho financial soundness of the society or branch, such amendment shall not be registered Until an approved actuary has certified that the amendment does not adversely affect tho financial soundness of the society or branch. -The amending Act is to continue in. force until the end of 1915.

John Alexander M'Kinnon has been committed for trial at the Supreme Court at' Christchurch on seven charges of theft from private finne in connection with the alleged Customs frauds, states a Press Association message.

Mr. 0. K. Wilson asked the Defence Minister in the House of Representatives yesterday whether his attention had been, drawn to a cablegram stating that a considerable order for the supply of. khaki woollen cloth had been placed in Canada. If so, would the Defence Minister inquire- as to the possibility of securing similar orders for the New Zealand mills. The Hon. J. Allen replied that the Imperial Government had communicated with him some time ago asking whether Now Zealand could supply khaki for uniforms and overcoats, or whether we could supply made-up uniforms. Honourable members knew that there were considerable demands on our mills for ths_supply of our own army. He had had a return prepared, however, which showed that our mills could supply more than sufficient for our requirements, and that therefore the mills could supply a certain amount to the Old Country. This information had been cabled Home, and he .was awaiting a reply from the Home Government. If the reply was to the effect that the Imperial authorities needed more supplies, he would place orders on behalf of the Home Government with the New Zealand mills, according; to their capacity.. i

English papers to hand announce the probability that for the futuro Heligoland will be known in England as Jellicoeland, in honour of the famous battle fought off tlie island a few weeks ago. _ In Section 42 of the Municipal Corporations Act it is specified that an alien shall not be allowed to occupy, a, seat on a borough council. In the opinion of Councillor Cos,-of the Petone Boroudi Council, this Section of the Act does not go far enough, and he has given notice to movo at the next ing of the council as follows:— .Inat the Government bo urged- to extend the provisions of Section 42 of the Municipal Corporations Act so as to include all residents."