POLITICAL JOTTINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 October 1919, Page 3

POLITICAL JOTTINGS

DOMINION AIR DEFENCES. A question whether Colonel Bettington’s report on the air defences of the Dominion was to be laid on the table of the House, or if not the whole report, at least a part of it, was asked this afternoon by Mr A. M. Myers. Sir James Allen said that Cabinet had not yet had time to consider the report. He would lay it before Cabinet at the next meeting, and let members know what the position was. BUILDING OF HOUSES. Replying to question regarding the progres® of the housing scheme, the Prime Minister said that he had been informed by the Department that tenders had been let for the construction of about fifty houses in Wellington and ten in Masterton. Offers were com- i ing in from other parts of the Dominion ■ for the construction of concrete houses. I Work on certain public buildings was * being suspended in order that attention j might be devoted to the building of dwelling houses. . PICTURE THEATRE HOURS.

Exact information regarding the lifting of restrictions on the hours of picture shows was asked in the House of Representatives by Mr A. E. Glover, who said that he had been asked when the relaxation of the closure effected by the new amendment to the Public Health Act would become operative.' The Prime Minister said that the Bill would become operative as soon as it received the signature of the Governot-

TRAINING MAIMED SOLDIERS. Answering a question regarding the possibility of increasing the pensions payable to maimed soldier®, the Minister of Defence said that there was a grave danger in paying these men such pensions, that it would not be necessary for them to do any work. Training was provided for thein and every effort was made to place them in a position to supplement their pension® by earnings. There were cases where men who had lost their right arms were learning shorthand and typewriting, and becoming efficient at it. He thought that everything possible should be done to encourage the men to render themselves capable of earning a, living.

PROVIDENT FUND BONUS. The question of extending the limit of income for the receipt of the maternity bonus under the National Provident Fund was raised in the House this afternoon by Mr T. M. Wilford, who asked if it would not be possible to increase the limit to £3OO all round. The Minister in charge of the fund (the Hon. W. H. Kerries) said that pro-" vision in this direction was not included in the amending measure passed this session, but could he provided in the next measure. A consolidated ( —? next measure. A consolidation and coordination of all the legislation affecting the National Provident Fund was contemplated in the near future. POSTAL EMPLOYEES AND WAR SERVICE.

A return showing the number of officers of the Post and Telegraph Department who were released to join the Expeditionary Force, and who have not yet reported the discharge from military duty, and the estimated number of re-apointments, was laid on the table of ( the House of Representatives this afternoon. The number of permanent officers who have not yet reported is 317. On being discharged, the report states, these officers will automatically resume their former positions at the salary and classification that would have been due had they l not joined the Expeditionary Force. It is pointed out that the service of such an officer was not terminated by his joining the forces so that re-appointment is unnecessary. Tliere is no record of the number of temporary employees who ceased duty to join the Expeditionary Force. Many of these men were given employment in, the Department for only a few weeks until thev were required to* go into camp. Those who were temporarily employed for at least three months) before going into camp will be re-em-ployed, provided their services are required. In view of the very large number, of permanent officers who are resuming duty, provision cannot bo made for many of the men who were temporarily employed yrior to joining the Expeditionary Force.