ABOUT PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 August 1915, Page 2

ABOUT PARLIAMENT.

THIS THIRST FOR INFORMATION. (By Telegraph.—Special to Daily Knivs). Wellington, August 29. It is obvious tlr.it tin- lormaUon of ii National Cabinet, and the suspension of party hostilities, is not going to quench the private members' thirst for information. Questions without notice were quite one of the features of last night's sitting of the House, and another hatch of enquiries was levelled at Ministers ; this afternoon, None of them was of a party or unfriendly nature, and the Prime Minister and his colleagues were bubbling over with courtesy in their replies. Sir Joseph Ward explained a number of matters in connection with his departments; Mr. Allen gave information about men at the front, about their letters, and about the provision for their comfort; Mr. Russell promised a number of I stums; and Mr. Frascr undertook to investigate various matters.. Altogether the most delightful harmony prevailed, and no enquirer was sent empty away. SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING. A sheaf of 'petitions has been presented to the House praying that the public bars may be closed at (i p.m. during the continuance of the war, and it is reported that many more are on tTieir way to Wellington. ' The whole lot will be referred to one of the Petitions Committee, and in due course they will come back to the House with the stereotyped report that "this a question of policy, the committee lias no recommendation to make." It is not unlikely, however, that the Government may take some steps to lessen the 'facilities for obtaining drink in the neighborhood of military camps. The Minister of Defence has done his best, to lessen the indiscriminate "treating" of men when on leave, but he still has a grievance against the thoughtless hospitality of their civilian friends. THE BUDGET. Mr. Massey's announcement that the Junanc-'ai Statement will be. delivered next week has sot speculation on foot' "gam concerning the nature of the war tax. Not an authoritative word that could throw any light on the matter has been allowed to leak out, but it is generally expected that Sir Joseph Ward will_ lay hands on a share of the war profii- f!iat have been made by certain lucky individuals, and will put a still' graduated tax on unearned incomes. Tf the am.unit runs into live shillings in the pound on incomes above a moderate level no one will be surprised. It is thought improbable that Customs duties wll be raised, or that railway rates will be increased, except perhaps to catch some of the excessive' war wonts. .. '