WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taihape Daily Times, 17 April 1918, Page 6

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE FINANCE BILL, -• ' HELD UP, w ■ WELLINGTON, April 15, The Government's' attempt to close tKe special session on Saturday failed owing to the introduction of new and ■weighty clauses into the Finance Bill. The House was ready enough to vote the twenty million loan and, after discussion and a division, to prolong its life, but it could not be persuaded to. accept the very comprehensive proposals for national service without a debate which carried on the proceedings to midnight and necessitated an adjournment till 11 o'clock this morning. It is now making good progress with the remaining business and unless anything unforeseen happens It should prorogue to-day or early tomorrow. There has been no factious oposition to the Government's proposals, members showing a proper appreciation of the gravity of the crisis confronting the Emipre, but there has been plenty of frank criticism from both sides of the House and a general disposition to suspend party ties for the time. THE FINANCIAL POSITION. The introduction of a Finance" Bill without a statement of the country's finances could be justified only in war time, but Sir Joseph Ward gave,assurances concerning the condition of the Treasury -which were entirely sat-' isfactory and which will be supported by more precise figures to-day. Dur- ; ■ing the debate the Minister announced that the latest loan was not yet fully subscribed and that drastic measures would have to be taken by the Government to secure the additional money it required unless the amount was forthcoming at once. The drastic measures, of course, will be the enforcement of the compulsory clauses of the existing legislation which give the Government power to obtain subscriptions from monied people who have been shirking their duty ihlhis respect. Steps already have been taken to put the law into operation and no time will be lost in doing what is absolutely necessary in the matter. THE LIFE OF PARLIAMENT. The proposal to prolong the life of Parliament, though it was ultimately carried by forty votes to twenty, provoked a' much keener discussion than did the proposal to the same effect two years ago. The opposition, however, was chiefly to the length of the extension, several members urging that the appeal to the electors should not be postponed beyond April next, and others holding that the ■ niatteT should be determined during the session to be held towards the end of the present year. Such responsible Reformers as Mr. T. A. H. Field, Dr. Newman, Mr. Parr, Mr. Reed, Mr. Statham, Mr. Wilkinson, and Mr. Young voted with the minority, showing that the desire in the constituencies for an

■opportunity toreview their representation at the earliest possible decent moment is by no means confined to members of one political colour. Ministers themselves were not altogether satisfied with the position and Implied if the way were clear an election would be held before December, 1919. NATIONAL, SERVICE. The portion of the Finance Bill which evoked the most animated discussion and finally led to its postponement till to-day was that containing provisions giving the Government very wide powers in its establishment of a national service scheme. A great majority of the members were in favour of the principle of the scheme, several of them declaring legislation ©f the kind should have been introduced at the very beginning of the war; but the Labour members doubted if the rights of the workers were properly conserved in the Government's proposals and around this point the debate revolved for many "weary hours. Ultimately it was decided to bring the scheme down in a -separate measure to-day and so give members an opportunity to consider it at their leisure. There is little doubt It will be accepted by both Houses as a necessity of the hour and will immensely strengthen- The hands of the • Government in -dealing with various | • Industrial and commercial problems ! • that have been calling out for attention.