POLITICAL NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1916, Page 8

POLITICAL NOTES.

THIS WEEK'S WORK. THE MILITARY SERVICE BILL. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, May 21. The debate upon the Address-in-Reply having been brought to a close upon Friday night, the House of Representatives is now ready to begin work. Two important Government Bills, the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Amendment Bill and the War Pensions Amendment Bill, are upon the order paper, and the second readings of these measures will be taken this week. It will be remembered that the original War Pensions Bill of last session was referred to the Defence Committee, which made important amehdments, but this committee has not been revived, since most, of the members of it now meet in the Cabinet room. The Military Service Bill, which is awaited with keen interest by the House, is expected to make its appearance in the immediate future. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT. ' The Financial Statement' may be placed before members this week. ' The figures showing the results of the last financial year's operations have not yet been placed before the public, and there are other reasons whv the Minister for Finance (Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward), will wish to make his statement i\t an unusually early stage of the session. Naturally there has been a considerable amount of speculation regarding the contents .of the statement. Ministerial hints have conveyed an impress;on that nothing drastic in the way of additional taxation is to be proposed, though some further effort to reach war profits is expected. The Minister for Internal Afl'airs, speaking on Friday indicated that the Statement would contain some proposal for assisting public employees to meet the rising cost of living. PRIVATE MEMBERS' BILLS. Thirteen Bills introduced by private members are already oh the order paper, and fourteen others have been mentioned by members who wish to move for leave to introduce them. These include Mr. Sidey's Definition of Time Bill, a Naturalised Subjects' Franchise Bill by Mr. J. V. Brown (Napier), and a New Protection Bill bv Mr. R. McCallum (Wairan). The fate of all the private Bills is scarcely in doubt. The Prime Minister has given notice to move that Government business shall take precedence on and after Wednesday next.