LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 38, 8 November 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

"I don't believe we will ever have the cost of living as low as it was before the war in any part of the world," said Sir Joseph Ward in the House of Hepresentatives last night. At any rate, he did not think there would bo a reduction for at least ten years. Ono factor in tho matter would be that a higher rate of wages would be ruling than had been tho case in the past. "Tho Government has no intention of imposing an *sport duty on butter,'mutton, beef, and cheese," said tho Prime Minister in answer to a question in tho House of Eepresentatives. Reference to the matter of the Gallipoli Medal was made by the Primo Minister in the House of Representatives last evening. Certain proposals had been made to tho War Office on tho subject, and he hoped' that every soldier, no matter whcther_ he came from tho dominions, from' Britain, or from India, would receive recognition. It seemed that somo precedent had to be established in order that the distinction might be awarded, but he had no hesitation whatever in being instrumental in establishing that precedent.

The annual report of the National Efficiency Board has been received, states the Prime Minister, but it has not yet been printed or considered by Cabinet.

"This matter will be considered before the present session comes to an end," said the Prime Minister, when asked by the member for Napier (Mr. J. V. Brown) if lie proposed to repeal the Act prolonging Parliament nnd have an election held either at the end of this year or at the beginning of next year. * Mr. T. K; Sidey (Dunedin North) has ■urged the Government to consider the advisableness of adopting a daylight saving scheme, and thus economise coal. He points out that daylight saving schemes, i involving advancing of the clock, are now in successful operation throughout the greater portion of Europe and North America, and in Canada. The Primo Minister replied yesterday that' a report on the subject had been made by tho National Efficttjcy Board, and was at present under the consideration of the Government. The Primo Minister stated in answer to a, question that it was riot proposed to increase the amount payable by way of old age pension, which, under the Pinanco Act, 1917, is already 15s. a week, and is higher than the old age pension payable in any other part of the world. Answering a question put by the member for AVellington East (Dr. A. K. Newman), the Prime Minister stated that the proposal to refer the liquor question to a referendum of the people was now under consideration by Cabinet. The Prime Minister has promised "careful consideration" to a suggestion made by Mr. J. P. Luke (Wellington North) that the Government, "having regard to the undoubted disinclination to submit industrial matters ! to the Arbitration Courts for settlement, will favourably consider amending the Act and establishing wages boards, the assessors of' which shall be those experienced in the services under review."

"It is inexpedient to make a pronouncement in regard to any particular local scheme.for the supply of hydroelectricul energy, until the report of the Chief Electrical Engineer on the whole subject has been submitted to Parliamont," said tho Prime Minister, in answer to a question on the subject. "This report will be laid on the table of the House in due course."

Tho Prime Minister states that the Electoral Department has already been instructed to make provision for returned soldiers being allowed to vote at parliamentary elections. "To hold an inquiry on a general statement reflecting on the morals of the children attending the State schools would not be justified," said the Prime Minister in reply to a question put by Mr. J. V. Brown (Napier) regarding a statement made recently by tho Bishop of Auckland.

The Minister of Internal Affairs stales that in view of the heavy financial commitments arising out of the war, and tho,claims of the soldiers and their dependants, tho Government does not propose to subsidise commemoration buildings in connection with tho war.

"The question of the reclassification of the Post and Telegraph service is now under consideration," said the Postmas-ler-Generul (Sir Joseph Ward), in answer to a question in tho House of Representatives yesterday.

"I don't think there is anything too bad for tho ordinary food profiteer who is making extortionate profits, if he can bo discovered," .remarked Sir Joseph Ward in the House of Representatives yesterday. Sir Joseph Ward declared that he was in favour of the prosecution of all 6iich men.

Deference to the difficulties under which bank employees labour in respect to participating in peace celebrations was made by Mr. <T. Craigic (Timnru) in the House of Representatives yesterday! According to tho law, banks had to give three or four days' notice before they could observe a holiday. Owing to the state of 1 tho law they were unable to partake in tho jubilations incidental' to tho successful issue of tho war. lie wanted to know if the Prime Minister would have tho law modified in order that they might bo able to take part in such thins as celebrations at short notice. Mr. Massey replied that tho matter was under consideration, and in all probability legislation would be introduced during the present session in order to overcome tho difficulties referred to. An inquest will be held this morning into tho causo of deatli of a ;hild named Frederick Charles Lewis, aged four years, who died at the Hospital on Wednesday from tho effects of severo scalds received tho previous day through falling into some hot water in a .copper..

It is notified in the Gazette that the resolution of the City Council declaring /that the provisions of Section 117 of the Public Works Act, 1908, shall not apply to the portion of Aurora Terrace abutting on parts of Sections 406 ami 498, known as tho Gore Estate, has been approved by the Governor-General.

The Ruratongan reservists who arrived in Wellington on Wednesday, and who are being kept clear of Narrow Neck Camp, Auckland, where influenza, is rife, wore taken to lower Hutt yesterday, and are billeted in the Drill Hall.

In the .hospitals at tho front the wounded men display wonderful cheerfulness under the most distressing circumstances. Often it happens that the men have to make their own tun, ana Adjutant Btadin, in his leoturo at the Sal.vation Army Citadel last evening, told of an invalid in one of the hospitals who provided a great deal of fun with schoolboy essays. Ono such essay was on tho cow, and was somew'hat as follows:—The cow is a wonderful animal. It has four legs, one at each comer, with a duster behind to brush away the flies. Tho cow gives milk. The white cow gives white milk, so does the black. When four cows get together in a corner of the paddock that is condensed milk.

The Gazette notifies that particulars have been obtained by tho Government indicating that there is available for exportation a quantity of neatsfoot oil amounting to approximately -WOO gallons, and applications for permission to export such oil to British or Allied destinations will accordingly be considered if received by tho Comptroller of Customs, Wellington, not later than November 30. Regulations relating to the peari-shcll fisheries in the Cook Mauds are published in tho Gazette.

Details in connection with the building of a new club house for the Worser Day Swimming Club were discussed by the Minimal' Borough Council ln.st evening. The site for the building has already been granted by the council. It was decided not to charge tny rental for tho site, and should the council require the land in the future endeavours will be made to furnish the club with another site. '

Peace celebrations were mentioned at the lliiramar Borough Council last evening, and it was decided to leavo the matter of arrangements to the DeputyMayor.

Replying to a remark made by Mr. R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, the Prime Minister said that peace could not possibly be declared in a few days. The most that could be expected as yet was tile arrangement of an armistice between Germany and the Allies. Peace would probably not be signed for 6ome months, probably not for twelve months.

• In tho Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, boforo Messrs. It. G. Dawkins and J. Blizzard, Justices of the Peace, of Picton, a naval man named Raymond Parish was charged with assaulting Mrs. Caroline Godfrey at Picton on November 1. The circumstances of the ease wea'O somewhat unusual.'ln the Picton Court the accused was convicted and ordered to bo handed over to the Naval authorities at Wellington, but tho Naval authorities found that tiiey had no power to tako over charge of the man, and therefore referred the matter back to tho civil police. It then became necessary that Messrs. Dawkins and Blizzard, who heard the case at Picton, should again deal with the case. Inspector Marsack said that something like ,£lO was due to Parish in wages. A fine of £1 nnd costs was imposed, and the justices ordered that J33 should he paid over to the complainant.

' Tho military ballot is sometimes a good deal wide of the mark. Yesterday one of the appellants before the Wellington Military Service Boaird was a man who has iiino children. His appeal, of course, was allowed.

At the meeting of the Board of Studies 'yesterday special concessions were made to returned soldiers matriculating with a view to pursuing University studies. It was recommended tliat no action bo' taken with regaird to proposals that the matriculating age be raised to 17, and tho Junior Scholarship' age lowered to 18. It was also recommended that science be not compulsory for matriculation. In order that a student may get honours in English alone, a new and greatly extended syllabus for such students was approved. At present honours cannot be taken in any one language by itself, Those who intend to tako this course will bo obliged, according to the board's recommendation, to tako some other lan-j guage to the advanced grade. _ A proposal to establish a diploma in social science sent by the senate to the board for confirmation was approved. Among the subjects required for this diploma ■will be sociology, economics, political science, .social psychology and ethics, nnthropology, end ethnology. M.wy other subjects concerning the whole field of social economics, principles of public administration, and social problems of modern life in general are also offered for selection 'by the intending student.

The Telegraph Department advises that owing to interruptions of the lines only traffic at urgent rates is to be accepted for stations in the South Island. Press messages' may be accepted, but must be limited as far as possible. In addition, traffic at urgent rates only is to be accepted for all stations north of Taumarunui. A Press Association message states tiiat the Christchurch Telegraph Office staff worked all through Wednesday night and yesterday inorning, but had not caught up with the work coming through from the previous evening.

The Wellington College sports, which were set <lown for to-day, have been postponed indefinitely.