THE SECRET SESSION.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1917, Page 5

THE SECRET SESSION.

REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS. NO FURLOUGH FOR MAIN BODY. A VERBOSE SOLATIUM. By Telegraph.—-Press Association, Wellington, Last Night. The following official report of the special meeting of Parliament is sup- . plied by the Government: At the special secret meeting -if members held to-night, information was conveyed with- very much regret, that there ivere difficulties and dangers in carrying out the .scheme for the granting of furlough to members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and these difficulties were of such moment that it had become necessary to cancel the arrangement. The position was fully explained to members, and the following resolution was passed: "Members of the. New Zealand House of Representatives, at this conference assembled, with, al 1 tie information that has been supplied to thorn, unanimously, hut moot regretfully, agree that the proposals for giving furlough to the Main Body, so that they might be able to visit their homes in Sow Zealand cannot under existing circumstances be given effect to. : ' Knowing the great disappointment to the men who have given such untiring and devoted service on behalf of tfiefr country and the Empire, and how grieved their next of kin .and the people in New Zealand must be, the Government placed all the facts before the members of Parliament. It only remains to as): the relatives of men at the front, and the publie, to accept with fortitude the change which has of necessity to be made. To the men, the assurance must go out that this disappointment makes them nioro dear to their own people in New Zealand, who share the disappointment with them. New Zealanders fully lecogniss how the members of the Expeditionary Force have played their part, and are fully assured they will continue to do so. It will be a consolation to „hoso tt the front to know that the ;.icopie of New Zealand have made up their minds to play their part bravely also, and that they will await with added nagvrncss the end of the war, and the return of their '. )vcd ones to their homes in this country.

INCREASED PENSIONS AND ALLOW. ANCES. A JUGGLING WITH FIGURES. The Government proposals for increases in pensions and in allowances wcie placed before members. The bill dealing with mansions will be introduced without any telay. The proposed increased allowance;, to wives, children, and other dependents of soldiers, were explained to members The present liability for pensions is £4<13,0C0 and tho proposed increases on the present liability amount to .£130,0.00, 'he intimated increased liability beins £573,000. If no alteration were made in the penpions, the. estimated liability 12 months from now would be .-£823,000 Under the proposals the estimated liability 12 months from now would be £i,003,000 estimated increased liability being .€240,000. Allowances to wives, ehiklrai, guardians and widowed mothers at present rates represent £.122,788, but at the new rates .ti11,4(14. This increase, if bionjmt into operation at once, would amount to £3RB.«7(i. The estimated liability at September 30, 1018, for wives, chillren, guardians and widowed mothers, at the present rates was £030.577. while at the new rates it would be £2,037,001, an increase of £1,008,114. At the present rates the liability Is £322,785, while that: for the n;.-w rates at September 31), 101S, would be £2.037,001 of which £03!i.5"7 is accounted for by the increased number of wives and children. Increase, £1.714,003 Deduct £030.577 Leaving £775.320 for which the new rate's alone arc responsible. In twi'lve months the new rates will involve an increased liability of notions uinouiitins to £240.000, W for allowances £775.320. making "• total of £1,015,380