THE COMING SESSION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1529, 30 March 1916, Page 3

THE COMING SESSION.

PROBABLE BUSINESS

IMPORTANT WAR LKGISLA TION.

No official announcement has yet been made of the business to come before Parliament when it meets early iu May, but It is certain that the legislation which the Government will introduce will be purely National Government business, or, in other words, legislation arising out of, and made necessary by, the circumstances of the times.

For instance, it is generally understood in well-informed circles that a Compulsory Service Bill will be introduced by the Government, the object of which will be to confer power upon the authorities to introduce the compulsory system if the present voluntary system fails to provid'- necessary recruits for the reinforcements. This intention of the Government is an earnest of its resolve to fulfil all obligations in men. A measure of this description will be no mean compilation, because it will require to provide the necessary machinery to make its appreciation thoroughly effective. The introduction of the Bill, it is understood, will not necessarily be an indication that the present system has failed ; it will be regarded as a precautionary measure.

A further proposal, it is understood, will be an amendment to the War Pensions Act, to give assured fixed pensions, or “pensions by right,” to widows of soldiers. At present the Pensions Board determines the amount all dependents, including military widows, are to receive. This proposal should prove popular, judging by the opinions expressed generally at patriotic gatherings.

There is no reliable indication yet as to what the Government’s intention is in regard to future taxation. It is obvious' that legislation will be required to make provision for war finance for the next twelve months. Last year’s authority was for £x0,000,000, and though this may not have been exhausted, the Prime Minister’s recent statement at Auckland that the war at present is costing us ,£BOO,OOO per month, gives some indication of the authority still available. In such matters as this it is necessary for preparation to be made well ahead, and it may be taken for granted that the need for financial provision is one of the reasons for the early session. It is not yet known whether the next war loan will be raised in the Dominion, as has been suggested it should, or as previously in Britain. Probably the price at which it can be obtained will largely decide the question, and whether the Mother Country can continue to supply. It is known, of course, that in past years the present Finance Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) has not been favourably inclined towards internal loans. In regard to public works, the Finance Minister has already said that a loan this year will not be necessary.

•War regulations may be further dealt with, particularly those relating to commerce. The question of the next census and a redistribution of seats will be expected to raise some debate in the House. There is also the matter of the railwaymen’s claims to be considered. Other small matters bearing on education, agriculture, fruit culture, etc., in regard to which certain promises have been made during the recess, may be dealt with, but such matters as these will depend upon the money there will be available. —Post.