PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 July 1917, Page 7

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

(fiy Wire—Own Correspondent). Wellington, July 4. The Government does not consider a secret session of Parliament is necessary." said the Prime Minister in answer to a question put by Dr. Newman, who wished Mr. Massey and Sir J. Ward to "show the actual state of the war, so that members of Parliament may have data upon which to sit during the session." EXPORT ©UTY ON BUTTER. The Prime Minister was asked if the Government would place an export duty on butter in order to prevent it being "rushed on to tbe Sydney market at Is per pound when its retail price here Is Sd." ' "The quantity of butter exported from Nsw Zealand to Australia in April May and June of last year was 22,491 boxes, whereas for the corresponding months of this year it was only 2134 boxes," said Mr. Massey in reply. "Shipping space is not available for any considerable increase in the near future. Careful inquiries have failed to reveal any foundation for the statement that New Zealand butter has been sold at Is per pound for export to Australia, and as a matter of fact sales at that price would mean a heavy loss to owners of butter now in store, the quantity of which is about 230,000 boxes. The Government does not see any need at present to propose the imposition of an export duty on butter to Australia." TBE SHIPPING MERGER. Answering a question regarding the new commercial agreement between the Union Steam Ship Company and the P. and O. (Steamship Company, tbe Prime Minister stated yesterday the Government's intentions in this important matter would be made known "as early as practicable." OUR WAR CORRESPONDENT. Wellington, July 3. ■When the Prime Minister was describing his visit to the West front and his meeting Iwith various prominent persons in the House of 'Representatives this afternoon, a member interjected: "Did you see anything of Mr. Malcolm Ross? Mr. Massey: "l met Mr. Ross at the front and (later in London, where he had come on ten days' leave. Three generals told me that Mr. Ross was regarded as one of the best war Correspondents at the front." (Laughter). Mr. Payne: "We dont see much of his stuff here." Mr. Massey: "You can't make news." A member: "Some of them' can." Mr. Massey: "When troops are in bil- ' lets there is not much news to be got."

THE NATURALISATION BILL. I Answering a question in the House of , Representatives the Hon. G. W. Russell ', stated that the Revocation of Nawali- ' > sation Bill which he has introduced, would not have general application. It would simply give the Govemor-in-Coun-cil power to revoke naturalisation in certain cases. He «ould assure the House that the power would he exercised only in circumstances that render- , ed action absolutely "desirable in the inr tercsts of the country and the Empire. He could say most emphatically that nothing would, be done iby the Govern--1 ment to interfere with naturalisation r already granted to citizens of the eoun- " tries hat were flghing on the side of Britain in the present war.