POLITICAL NOTES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 37, 7 November 1918, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE ENDS ' The Legislative Council sat for a few minutes yesterday, and then adjourned until , Friday, The House of liepresentntives after spending some time oil yucritions, resumed Mio debate on the Addross-in-ltcply. This doljute was concluded late in the evening, and tho House adjourned until this afternoon. The first of tho Government Bills, a War Legislation Bill, is to make its appearance to-day.

THE BURDEN OF WAR. "The heaviest burden of this war rests upon the men with wives ■ and young families, who are trying to live on wages ranging from £2 IGs. to £i 10s. per weeK," said ■ Mr. L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North) in the Houoe of Representatives yestenhy. "1 ;ip not kno'r where the. money is to come irom to meet tho just claims of liheso men* That ).■> n matter lor'die Government to consider. But it canuot be rhjiit to leave the heaviest share <it the financial Lmr-. den of the war njurn the shoulders of those who ore least able to bear it. I say unhesitatingly that wealth -.jiMist be further conscripted, and. if no other w&y be found there must be a bonus paid for every child." BESTOWAL OF HONOURS. "I regret that a certain kind of distinction has been introduced into New Zealand during the past twelve months," said Mr. C. K Statham (Duuedin Central), in the House of lieprcsentatives last night. "I regret that the Govern, ment did not do what the Canadian Government did, and Bay that they did not want any 'honours granted in this country without their consent. I am not against any honours being taken-by people in this country. I believe the Prime .Minister would be justified in taking a knighthood—l should like to see him do it: He is worthy < f the honour, I think." Mr. Statham added, that honours had been bestowed on some people for war work w'hieh they ought to have been delighted to do for nothing, as they had plenty of spare time in which' to do it. Certain people had been picked .out for, honours, and thus invidious distinctions had been made. The whole thing/ was to be deplored. Some of those who were honoured were paid servants of the Government.

■ A member: W'ho made the representations?

Mr. Statham: I do not know, but that is a thing I should like the Government to explain.

BAD ACOUSTIC PROPERTIES, "I must say that the acoustic properties of this Chamber are' not what they ought to be," said Mr. C. E. Statham (Duriedin Central) in the House of Representatives last night. "Many of the speeches, except those made by members sitting near Mr. Speaker, resolved themselves into whnt I may call confidential conversations so far aa we at this end of the House were concerned."

Mr. Statham'e remarks were cordially approved by members.

"A BOARD OF DIRECTORS." Drastic changes in the Parliamentary system were advocated by Mr. J. Payne (Grey Lynn) in the course of his speech in the House of Representatives last night. Mr. Payne contended that the position of Prime Minister should be abolished. Hβ did not agree wiCH the proposal for an elective executive, for under such an arrangement probably they would be worse off than under the party system of Governmental control. But, they should make the House a House of directors—a directorate bonrd that would eit during the whole twelve months. Thus each member would liecome a real, live representative of, his constituency.