JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1920, Page 4

JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

(Our Parliamentary Correspondent.) financial. 'WELLINGTON, Nov. I. Mr Massey stated in the House today that a bonus to superannuated public' servants WMs now being paid. He could not possibly go further than lie had already proposed to go. The financial outlook was not really as it had been three or four weeks ago. He bad aside one hundred thousand pounds for superannuated public servants, and fifty thousand for pensions, and another fifty thousand for incapacitated soldiers. The financial outlook would not warrant lilis going any further. It might be necessary even before the- end of the present session to ask the House ,to consent to the raising of another fifty thouand pounds. He could get this sum without affecting very many 1 people. The grants he had mentioned were for this financial year. Ho hoped that the cost of living would fall sufficiently to .render their renewal unnecessary. He had boon inquiring iegarding totalisator fractions. He would not interfere with the Clubs this year hut be proposed to ask the House to give him the fractions next year. They amounted to about £42,000. There was no need for alarm about finance generally, but he must avoid unnecessary expenditure. The first principle of good Government was sound finance. OTHER AMENDMENTS. The amendment proposed by the Government in the Counties Bill was introduced this afternoon by Governor’s message. It enables Counties to contribute to tbe maintenance of war memorials. Amendments introduced in Municipal Corporations Bill are to enable Broughs to raise money to improve their endowments, so that they may get a larger revenue from them. An amendment in the Mining Bill is proposed by the Government providing for the granting of subsidies for prospecting for mineral oils and ! natural gas.