POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1918, Page 5

POLITICAL.

A LITTLE FLURRY. (By Telegraph—Our Special Reporter.) Wellington, Last "Sight. Parliament took its duties leisnrely again to-day. There was a little flurry about the naturalised aliens in the afternoon, in connection with Mr. Vigor ! Brown's Naturalised Subjects' Franchise Bill, which proposes to deprive persons of enemy alien birth of political and civil rights. Mr. Hindmarsh objected to harrying persons who had behaved as loyal citizens and -who had no German sympathies, and he pointed to the example of the United States, where thousands of men of German Wood were wearing the American uniform. He suggested the Bill was aimed at a certain member of the House, but this line of argument was Mocked by the Speaker. The Bill was finally introduced by 40 votes to 15. EXPORT TRADE. Mr. Massey gave notice to set up an Export Trade Committee,. which is to investigate various matters connected with the export of produce and shipping arrangements.This committee is expected to call evidence. SURRENDER Replying to a suggestion by Mr. Malcolm, the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward expressed themselves in favor of the Allies demanding the unconditional surrender of Germany, and Sir Joseph Ward said ;he would :;like to. see the House given an opportunity to pass a resolution on the subject. This qiies j tion is likely to come forward again. WAR EXPENDITURE. A return dealing with war expenditure was laid on the table by Sir Joseph War|-J. and' shows that on March 31 % Dominion, had sent 95,0 M men abroad/ amljiad 11,000 men in camp. , '% ' "VALIDATING EXPENDITURE/' '• ) The Auditor-General presented a re'-? port showing that £GOO,OOO waf advanced from the public account withoutParliamentary authority in connection with the purchase' of butter and cheese. This sum had since been repaid, but the transaction requires validation. j

GIVING ROPE TO MEMBERS. Present indications are that the- Ad-dress-in-Reply debate will occupy the best part of. a fortnight- The Whips gather that the majority of members wish to speak in the course of the dehate, and the Prime Minister states that he does not intend to hurry the House at all. It appears that the Government, as a matter of fact, can use the time in completing preparations for the work of the session, and is not unwilling to take the opportunity of leaying things to the temper of the House. Members will be in better mooil for work, after they have had their say fully.