PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 232, 29 September 1915, Page 9

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM THE QAIXBY. •By Telegraph — ParliimenlarT Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Tueedav. THE LEGISLATIVE TETHER In answer to an inquiry from Mr. Witty this afternoon as to what further legislation the Government intended to pass this session, the Prime Minister stated that as soon as the Finance Bill was disposed of he would be in a position to make a statement. He did not think the remaining bille would take very long, and expressed the hope that thfv would be able to i-lo»e the session about the middle of next week. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES , REQUEST.' Replying to Mr. Fletcher today, Sir Joseph' Ward said that while he would like- to aaist friendly societies which were doing excellent work, ho could not grant them exemption of the new postage rates which had been sought. He pointed but that the Government had already offered to pay half the contributions of members who arc away at tlie war. but aa the increased postal revenue wan entirely for helping to pay our war obligations, no remissions could be contemplated. ' GERMAN TYRES. The member for Mastcrton. Mr. Sykes, questioned th« Minister in charge of the Public Trust -Mice to day an to a circular cent out. quoting prices for tyres of the Continental Tyre Company, which be called an essentially tierman concern 300 to 40i) per cent less than English prices, thereby entering into unfair competition with English Roods. He asked if the Government stilt controlled the operations of this company. Sir Joseph Ward replied that an notiie; had l>een given of this question, he ha 4 obtained from the Public Trustee a report stating that if the goods were perishable, and had been long in stock, it was possible that they had depreciated in value. The circular referred to by Mr. Sykes was issued by the Christchurch branch of the office. The proceed* of Malta would be held by the Public Trustee until the end of the war.