POLITICAL JOTTINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 April 1932, Page 8

POLITICAL JOTTINGS

TERRITORIAL FORCES. Arising from a case in Christchurch, and in older to remove any misapprehension which might be in the minds of the public as to whether any persons convicted of an offence against the civi' law may become a member of the Territorial forces, the Minister for Defence (the Hon. J. G. Cobbe) announces that while it may be very desirable from the individual’s point of view that” he should receive the benefit of military training and discipline, the military regulations do not permit of this being done. Trainees of the territorial force convicted by the civil power are liable to be dismissed from the forces, and special care is taken to en sure tliat this regulation is carried out. SUPERANNUATION FUNDS. In the Legislative Council, replying to the Hon. Sir James Allen, who asked a question as to the work of the Committee set up to consider the superannuation funds, the Minister for Education (the Hon. R. Masters) said the matters which were referred to the. Committee dealt principally with the adjustment of the anomalies existing between the various funds. A review of the representations which were madeshowed that the adjustments referred to would involve additional expenditure, a course which could not be favourably considered at the present time. These matters, however, were roailv only subordinate to,- the question of the financial stability of the funds, a matter which had caused grave concern to the Government.

The National Expenditure Commission, said Mr Masters, had made certain investigations into the position, anil it was hoped the Commission would be able to advise the Government as to a fair and equitable method of enabling the funds to attain a degree of financial solvency. The adjustment of anomalies and the improvement of the financial position of the funds were so interwoven with the general finances of the country that it was proposed to defer action pending consideration by ‘he Government of the .report of the National Expenditure Commission.

exchange pool. In the House, Mr VV. J. Poison, (C.. Stratford) asked whether, in view of the fact (that three leading, counsel in New Zealand had declared rhat the Order-in-Council establishing the exchange pool was illegal and ultra voes. -would the Government withdraw it ar.d, further, would the Government give permission for a Supreme Court decision to be made to test the matter and sc enable primary producers to obtain their rights. • The Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes replied that the question involved some investigation, and lie promised to go into ,t.

LIFE OF PARLIAMENT. The proposal to extend the life of Parliament, which will be one. of the measures introduced this session, lias provoked Mr J. A. Lee (Lao., c<ie\ Lynn) to table a question whether there is .any truth behind the persistent rumour that Cabinet is contemplating legislation to extend the Lie of I'S l ’- lioinent without referring the question to the people, and whether the l*t ime •Minister does not think that an attempt to override the well-established democratic principle that the maximum term of life for Parliament is the term understood by the electors on the day of the election may provoke such patnatic resistance as was provoked by King Charles I. ?