POLITICAL POINTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 May 1916, Page 8

POLITICAL POINTS.

MEMBERS' QUESTIONS. ~% (From Our Own Correspondent). Wellington, Yesterday. The following questions appear on the Order Paper:— Mr. Payne (Grey Lynn' to ask the Minister of Defence, whether SergeantMajor Bollinger is to be allowed to go to the front again in the capacity of a commissioned officer; and, if so, why, in face of the opposition to this man from the Taranaki district, where he belongs? (Note. —He is alleged to be of German parentage). Mr. Okey (Taranaki) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, whether, seeing the increased price of all classes of stock, he will increase the maximum amount of compensation that may be paid for diseased eafTie condemned by Stock Inspectors; and whether in any amendment of the Act he will include owners of bulls condemned by Inspectors to be paid compensation for same? (Note. — The previous Minister of Agriculture favored this being clone). Mr. Nosworthy (Ashburton) to ask the Prime Minister— (1) Whether his attention has been called to an advertisement appearing in a paper called the Philistine (published in Auckland and edited by John Payne, M.P.), relating to ail alleged cure for asthma, bronchitis, hay fever, and catarrh, inserted by the Anglo-American Antiseptic Remedies Company, P.O. Box 384, Auckland? (2) Whether the Prime Minister is aware that this company advertises in a prominent place in its circular that its principal business places are at London, Paris, New York, and Berlin? (3) Whether the Australasian manager of the aforesaid company, stated in its circular to be John Payne, Alpha Road, Parnell, Auckland,.to whom all remittances are to be made payable, is identical with the member for Grey Lynn? (4) Whether the Prime Minister will, in view of the importance of the question of anti-German trade, have the necessary inquiries made without delay? THE MEMBER FOR EGMONT.

The Press Association gave rather a misleading report of the speech made by Mr. C. A. Wilkinson on Wednesday evening. The report stated that "he was averse to inflicting heavy taxation, and was against confiscation of war profits." He stated that there should be no undue taxation, as not so much money was required to carry on ordinary works. He urged raising a portion of what was needed for our own requirements in the Dominion. He denounced the confiscation of wealth as nonsense. Mr. Wilford: What about taxing war profits ?' Mr. Wilkinson: Certainly! We are taxing them now, and that tax ought to be increased, but' if you place a heavy tax on people running monopolistic businesses, they will immediately pass it on to the consumers. Mr. Wilford: They can be dealt with. Mr. Wilkinson questioned the possibility, mentioning the position of the Sugar Company. He contended also that the Union Shipping Company were outside the regulations respecting their charges. He contended that the powers of the Board of Trade should be extended. In his opinion, the high cost of living was largely due to people flocking into the towns