POLITICAL NOTES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2773, 17 May 1916, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES

CROWN TENANTS

THEIR RENTS WHILE ON SERVICE

The position of Crown tenants who enlist in the Expeditionary Force was the subject of a question in the House yesterday.

Air. 11. J. Okey {Tarahaki) asked tha Prime Minister what was being done in regard to the rent of Crown tenants who had left their farms and enlisted. Could arrangements bo made so that the payments should cease while they were serving their country, and so that they would not have arrears to be paid off on their return?

Mi\ Massey said that it ivoiild be recollected that last session he asked Parliament to give him this power, and it was granted in the Land Bill. The position taken up by tho Land Boards throughout the Lommion was that when a Crown tenant enlisted and left his section in a non-productive stute, then no rent was expected. There were, however, many cases where sections were left in a productive state, and in such instances partial exemption was arranged for. Hehad dealt witli many such sections recently, and he was in a position to say that not. one application had been turned down. The Under-Secretary for Lands had told him that so far there had been about ,£3OOO worth of exempted rents. "We do everything possible" said Mr. Massey, "to assist tho Crown tenant v ho is doing his duty to the country. It seems to ma wonderful that such a large proportion of these men are enlisting."

Mr. C. H. Poole (Auckland West) inquired if* the occupants of workers' homes and applicants for advances to workers who had financial obligations would receive consideration if they found it their duty to enlist. Mi'. Massey replied that he did not recollect any such cases having occurred, but, he said, "so far as the Government is concerned there will be no cheeseparing in regard to our soldiers." THE COMPULSION BILL. HOW IT WILL WORK. There is considerable speculation as to the contents of the Military Service Bill. It has been staled that the Bill provides for the' "compulsory enlistment" of every man of military age in New Zealand. This ■. statement is to some extent misleading if it is not incorrect. There will be no such thing as automatic enlistment. Every man of military age will be liable to be called up for military service, but the machinery of the scheme is not after 1 the plan "of automatic enlistment. The scheme of the Bill provides for voluntas enlistment in conjunction with compulsion. If in any district sufficient volunteers are offering there will be no compulsion, and compulsion will be exercised after a ballot has been taken.to determine who shall be called up. The Bill, it is understood, however, will contain 6ome provision for a variation of this rule in certain cases. If, for instance, there should happen to be a nest of shirkers iu a particular locality, who are still able to shirk because of the patriotism of other men. wlio volunteer in that district, the Bill will empower the Government to take steps to compel these shirkers. This provision, most peoplo will agree, is a necessary one. The oriiy'rinformation available about exemptions is that given, in general terms by Ministers in tneir speeches. By them the assurance has often been given that exemptions will be granted sparingly.. MORE ABOUT GERMANS. "NONE IN THE PUBLIC SEKVICE." In the Bouse yesterday, Mr. J. Payne asked whether the Prime Minister would set apart a day for the purpose of letting the House clearly define before tho country its attitude towards the Germans included in our forces, left in high posi-tions-iu the Civil Service, and remaining at large generally. The country was entitled to know the attitude of Parliament towards the German question. Mr..Massey, in reply, asked that the question be placed on the Order Paper. He would, however, reply to one aspect of it. Mr. Payne implied that there were a number of Germans holding high positions in.the.Civil Service.

Mr. Payne: So thero are. Mr. Massey: There are rone. Mr. Payne: I beg to differ. Mr. Massey said that the policy of the government was not to keep Germans in high positions in the Public Service, and he did not think there was a man in the e ublic Service at the present moment who iras born in Germany. Mr. Payne: That makes no difference. •Mr. Massey: There may be the sons of bermans, but it is quite possible that they are as loyal as we are. The Government is doing its duty by the Germans in this country. Mr. Payne (ironically): Yes, it is. Mr. Massey: I,don't: mean it in that way. There are over 300 enemy subjects in internment, and they are being continually added to.- A number of enemy subjects, are under the surveillance of the police without the.knowledge of the public, and so soon as anything suspicious >s found they are interned. THE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS, WHEN THEY WILL BE PUBLISHED. A question regarding the publication of the annual accounts for the year was addressed to the Finance Minister by Dr. Newman in the House yesterday. He asked when the accounts would bo published, as very many' people, were anxious to see them. Sir Joseph Ward said he intended to have them published after the Financial Statement wasN delivered. Br. Newman: Not till then? Sir Joseph. Ward: No. I think, it is better that the whole Financial Statement should be given at ono time, in order that possible misconceptions may be avoided. ... The Financial Statement will be a very good one, too, I may inform the honourable gentleman.