POLITICAL NOTES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 35, 5 November 1919, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES

DEPRECIATED MONEY.' Another aupeal on behalf of superannuated public servants «'iio find, themselves in poor circumstances owing to the increased cost of living, was made to the Prime Minister in the House yesterday bv JJr. Newman. The Prime Minister replied that nothing would please him belter limn to accede to the request being made, but nothing could be done this session. Ihe position of the Consolidated Eimd would not pcrinil of it. lie had been look inn into the position that morning, i" considering the Supplementary Jailmates, which were very heavy. THE SOFT ANSWER. A complaint about the pay of officers ami men of, the Detente Permanent forces was mace in the House yesterday by Air. Wilford. On behalf of the nu'ii engaged in tilt camps and elsewhere, ilr. Wiliord naid that: Ihoy had teen invite:! to apply for the employment at a I'iue of 9s. a nay, a ilal rale, will) certain provision lor clothing, medical attendance, and rations. Ho chimed that thev had been given to imderstaud that I lie' term of employment was to be lor iwo years, hut a general order had been issued providing for an alteration of the .scale'as from April lof this year, ho men were given an increase in pay. but owing to loss of rations, the net result of (he amended scale. Mr. AYiifoi'd said, was a loss of a shilling a day. Air. AYiiford pointed out also that the pay ol officers had ]>een reduced by the new scale, and he pointed out nlso anomalies in the seale. Sir James Allen replied: Most careful consideration has been given to the pay or officer* and men of the Delence forces. In comparison wiih other servants of the State, the officers, noncommissioned officers, and men of the Defence Depart men t art well paid, and if thev do not consider that Ihey are well and iusl'y paid they have their remedy, anil thev should take it. _ An lion, member: What is their remedy? . , Sir James Allen: Their remedy is to resign and to find some other wort. I am "wry that officers of llm Department who have been, in my nimnon. well considornl. -I'ould create any disturbance ol this kind. THE INDEPENDENTS. In an address at Cheviot a few days a»o Mr. (I. Forbes one of the Opposition Whips, said that a number of lieform malcontents were going In stand this voaV "s Independents, and I hat if Isij' Jo--cph Ware's party were not' returned in sufficient numbers to carry tin the government of the country it would be likely to get the support of these member- '''his statement is strenuously and indiirnanilv denied by representatives of the alleged niuieontciils. They say ha thi-v have no iiiteiit'rni in any event ot Mipportinif Sir Joseph Ward. Their atlitude toward-. Mr. Maswy may :.ot be vcv clearly dclined, but Uicy are quite clear as to their attitude towariis Sor Joseph ATard and his parly. Ine fact -sopius lo be that a number of momheM of both, parties arc likely to assume a more independent attitude alter the elections, and even in the election campaign. , LIGHT RAILWAYS. ]'n I lie House of ficpresentativefl last ni'dit Ihe Prime Minister laid on the table a report bv Major Yickernian regarding light railways, ne said the report indicated that the material used by the armies in Trance was being handed over to France for use in the devastated areas. A lot of new material was being offend for sale, but.the prices were almost prohibitive The gauges were as sniali ns two feet. TEACHERS' SALARIES. "When will the increased salaries for teachers be paid!"" asked Sir Joseph Warn' in the House of Ifoprcscntatiyes yesterday. The. Prime Minister replied that the uioncv would be paid at tie due date. There, was no reason for delav. ' TO RESTORE A BRIDGE. i question about a destroyed bridge on" the main road. from Napier to Dirnnevirke w»,s asked in the House .vesterdn) b v Mr. 0. Hunter. Mr. HmiUr said tuw lie had just, received a telegram from the chairman of the Diinnevirke County Council: "Main Napier road bridge er.troved by tire. Estimated cost ot übuilding, AISOO. Will you :?quest asistance from the Government, pound fo pound subsidy? Norsewond en . oft from Dannovirke." Mr. Hunter mi tliitt the matter was one of extreme uraMicy id fie hoped the Minister would giu' ( ne subsidy and so assist in the rebiidd.ng °K£ Yn*r «M «*•« I*W not vet heard of the destruction of to V d"e, but the main road could not be left "blocked, and the honourable member enuld rest o-snred that the local bodies would receive a.<si«!e.nce from his Department to rebuild the bridge as speedily as possible.

RIFLE RANGES. Mr. W. H. Held 'has on other occa--ions tliis session made requests ot the '.Minister ol Defence for » rifle range tor Hie use of rifle clubs in his district, and he raised Ik' question a.gain. lie sajd that there were a number ot dubs "in (ho district, and there .vas great need of a central range to stimulat; iuIciest in shooting. ~..,... , , Sir .Inmes Allen replied that the whole miction of police with ri'gartl to rifle mires and rifle elubs was under consideration hv the Department now. Unlit this pol'icv was decided he did not think much could be done with regard to rifle ranges. MILITARY CENSORSHIP. Mr. 11. K Holland (Grey) told the Minuter ol Defence in the House of Ropnwn'.alives lust night th:it a military cens;i>hip wa.s still operating in New Zealand. He produced an envelope ;uldrcssed to the secretary of the "National Peace Council" a ml.-marked "Pnfv.'il by Military Censor." The letter had been posted 'in Wellington on October 111. Ho hud also the wiappor of a document sent: from Parliament House, and endorsed "Passed bv Military Censor." Sir James Allen siiid'he understood that the eonsor-f-.hip had been removed altogether. Ho would make inquiry regarding the documents produced.