POLITICAL NOTES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 32, 1 November 1918, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES

fESTERDAY IN PARLIAMENT The debate on the Address-in-Eeply was continued in both Houses yesterday. The House of Representatives adjourned early in the afternoon in order that Ministers might have an opportunity to overtake arrears of Cabinet business. In the evening Messrs., Wilkinson (Egmont), Buddo (Kaiapoi),' Anstey (IVaitalci), and Rhodes (Thames) spoke on the Address-in-Reply. The debate was adjourned on the motion of Mr. Jennings (Taumarunui), and the House rose shortly before midnight. In the Legislative Council tho;debate'ou the Address-in-Keply was advanced a stage.

COSTLY BUILDING. The Minister of Education was asked by Mr.'G. E. Sykes (Masterton) what was the reason for the delay in the erection : of the new school at Masterton. He rei plied that the lowest _ tender for three rooms, with outbuildings, had been .£3850. The tender was a striking example of the increased cost of labour and material. The House appeared to regard the explanation as adequate.

ABOUT THE ELECTION. ; "The British' Parliament has decided that the war is almost at an end, and that a general election is to be held early in December," said the Hon. D. Buddo (Kaiapoi}.in tho Houso. of Representatives last night. "'We in New Zea-, land are the only self-governing portion of • tho Empire that has not held an election during the war, and depend upon it that we are iiot going- to be left behind." He could assure those who thought that the supporters of the Government should press for a general election that they would not need two hints if there was a. general election in tho Old.Country.

WAR INDEMNITIES. Mr. W. 11. Field (Otaki) lias given notice to move: "That, bearing' in mind that this hideous war was forced upon the world by Germany, and by Germany alone, that in the awful struggle ire havo bad to figtit- not only the Prussian military casto .but tho whole German nation, and that there exist in Germany natural resources, including coal said to be worth two hundred thousand millions, amply sufficient to pay the whole cost of the war, it be an instruction'from this House to the representative or representatives of the Dominion at the Peace Conforenco likely to bo held presently that they shall demand, as one of the terms of peace, the'repayment'by Germany to each of the Allied nations, including every portion of the British EmEire, the total' war expenditure incurred y snch nation." ■■..'■ ' \ • . '

A WHISKY CARGO. "Is it a fact" asks Mr. L. M. Isitt (€hristchurch North) "that prior to the arrival of the steamer — in the Liverpool Dock legitimate cargo had Ibeen waiting in the 6heds for over a month, and that this cargo was passed over and the vessel loaded with whisky that had just arrived?"-

SECONDARY INDUSTRIES. Mr. J. P. Luke (Wellington North),has given notice to ask the Minister of Industries and Commerce if he will set up a committee vof the House for the purpose of promoting and encouraging' the Dominion's secondary industries, and' also make provision for considerable numbers of the soldiers of the Dominion on | demobilisation being employed."'

ANZAC MEDAL. Mr.' J. Parr (Eden) is asking the Min : ister of Defence if the Anzac Medal or some other form of decoration will be extended to the fifty New Zealand far-rier-sergeants who, much against their will, remained in Egypt in charge of some thousands of horses when the Mounted Division went to Gallipoli, and, according to the official reports, did excellent work in Egypt in attending to their particular duty.

SOLDIERS IN ENGLAND

"A suggestion that provision should be made for allowing: New Zealond soldiers

to stay temporarily in Great • Britain after' the •war-is made by Mr.' Isitt (Christchwch North), who has asked the Minister' of Defenoe if, in view of' the possibility early peace, arrangements are being made by the Defence authorities here to secure for any of our soldiers who wish to remain in Great

Britain for a'given period, cither for 1 pleasure or business purposes, the right to so remain. Mr. leitt mentions that there are numbers of soldiers, who will liave no other opportunity,of 6eeing the Old Land and visiting their parents' birthplaces and relatives. There are ■ others who will -want to remain for professional or business training, and that privilege is a small return for what they nave done for the Dominion,

THE DEFENCE REPORT. A suggestion that excisions were made in the report of the, Defence Expenditure Commission is made in a. question put to the Defence Minister by Mr G. Witty. TJie member for Eiccarton asks if the Defence Commission's report contained' a' clause or clauses adversely criticising the services of the Chief of the General Staff; and, if so, by whom or whose authority was ■ the clause or clauses excised from the report.