NOTES FROM THE CAPITAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1916, Page 3

NOTES FROM THE CAPITAL.

(From Oui' Own Correspondent.) Wellington, March 27. PARLIAMENT MEETS IN MAY. The Prime Minister stated definitely this evening that Parliament would be called together in May. "The principal business of the session will be the consideration of matters arising from the war," said Mr. Massey. "The Government will have important proposals to place before members. The length of the session will depend upon members themselves. If they choose to make it a long session the responsibility will be (heirs. 1 see no reason why the session iiould be a long one." Mr. Massey did not indicate an exact date, but the indications arc t'liat Parliament will be called together before the middle of May. The day has not y<!t been selected finally, and there are some considerations that may yet influence (he Cabinet in selecting it. Some of the War Bills that will he placed before members are taking form already, and there need be 110 delay in getting to work when Parliament meets. CONSCRIPTION. The War Bills will include a measure dealing with recruiting, an amendment of the War Pensions Act, and some important financial proposals. There is every reason to believe that the Government will ask Parliament for powers of compulsion in connection with enlistments for the Expeditionary Forces. The new lecruiting scheme has not failed by any means and the Ministers are hopeful that when it- is fully established it will provide all the men required for many months to come. But the scheme certainly has not been an immediate s®cess, and the Government cannot take the risk of a. failure to secure men. Parliament will be asked to give the Government powers of compulsion, probably on the lines of the British law. The powers may be suspended until the supply of volunteers is shown to be short of reciuiremcnts.

The amendment to the War Pensions Act will be in the direction of securing the position of wives and children by providing that the possession of smail private means shall not affect their claims to pensions. The Pensions Board, acting probably under the direction of the Ministry, is observing this principle already, but there has been a strong demand that the dependants should be completely protected by law. Some min-.r amendment 1 * of the Pensions Aft probably will be v.h.-m,.-y. LOCAL WAR LOAN. It is reported persistently that the Government's financial proposals will include the raising of a local war loan. No definite information on this point is likely to be available far in advance of the event. Then there almost certainly will be proposals for the raising of additional revenue by taxation, unless the war shall have taken an unexpectedly favorable turn in the meantime Some of the political prophets are saying confidently that the session is going to be long and stormy. They talk of a determined attack upon the Hon. .T. Allen's administration of the Defence Department and of a demand for prompt and drastic action in order to reduce the cost of living. But the indications do not point to the realisation of these prophecies. The session may be fairly long, since there is a great deal of work to be done, but the. majority of the members will be averse to anything in the nature of party controversy. The most contenious matter before the. House will be the Conscription Bill, and it is quite possible that a minority of members will oppose that measure strenuously.