POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 209, 3 September 1919, Page 9

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

TERRITORIAL TRAINING. NO CHANGE TILL 1920. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Opportunity was given, when tlie Defence report was tabled to-day, to question Sir James Allen on several matters, including the future territorial training and employment of officers. Mr. Witty asked what was intended to be done with many officers still in the service, while Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon inquired if the proposed scheme of probationary camps for officers applying for permanent positions would give proper opportunities for all officers desiring positions —especially those still on the water. Sir James Allen replied that there were about 40 vacancies in the permanent force, which would be filled from the Expeditionary Forces. The remainder of the officers would go into the reserve. Candidates for permanent positions would be required to enter camp for a course of training to ascertain who are most suitable " r the work in view. As for the future of the territorial training it was inopportune to deal with th** until proposals were brought forward, but there was no intention to make any change in territorial training until July, 1020.

Mr. Witty asked that drill officers who failed "to attend to drill country cadets who attend at great inconvenience should be fined in the same way as cadets were fined for default. He knew of many cases where drill officers failed to keep their engagement.

Sir James Allen suggested that this was due to exceptional causes, such as floods. Officers wishing to get permanent appointments should apply promptly, while those on the water would get their chance. WASTEFUL PRINTING. When the notice of the Sessional Select Committees was being given today, Mr. Jennings raised a protest against wasteful printing of returns and Parliamentary papers. He has been for some time a member of the Printing Committee, and to-day asked the Premier to take his name off the Committee. It was not a bit of good, ho declared, for a man with literary knowledge and printing ability to be on the committee if he had no power to stop extravagant and wasteful returns and Parliamentary papers.

The Premier replied that the member's wish to be left off the committe would be noted when the committee was set up. A PENSIONS MISUNDERSTANDING.

The Minister of Defence gave an important explanation of a pensions grievance amongst soldiers, which Mr. Buddo raised, the member for Kaiapoi explaining that there was considerable feeling amongst disabled men who started on a pension of 30/ a week getting it discontinued as time went on, though there was great difficulty in getting employment for this class of men. Another factor was the inadequacy of the reduced pensions owing to the high cost of living.

Sir James Allen replied that this 30/ a week pension was misunderstood. The Pensions Board, to avoid -hardship through delay in fixing pensions, had a practice of granting a temporary pension of 30/ a week. If it were subsequently found that a man's disability be assessed at less than 30/, no refund was required from the soldier, while if the amount were fixed higher it was paid retrospectively. If any disabled man felt his case—was not fully met, the Pensions Board, on receipt of a medical certificate, was quite willing to reopen his case. , RENTS RESTRICTION.

Parliament has hurriedly extended the law regarding mortgages. Mr. Witty asked the Premier to-day if the Government intended similarly to extend the Rentg Restriction Act, otherwise, he said, it meant great hardship to many tenants, some of whom had already been notified that their rents would be raised.

Mr. "\lassey replied that the mattei would be taken into consideration. Rome amendment of the law was considered necessary, but the law itself was permanent. SAMOAN EPIDEMIC. During the midst of a couple of hoursformal business in the House tho "Minister of Defence tabled the Samoan Epidemic Commissioners' report, with a motion that it be printed. This gavt slight opportunity for discussion, but the members failed to take it. though earlier in the afternoon Mr. W. H. Field had tackled the question of what action thf Government proposed to take in connection with the Commissioners' report. THE COALITION AGAIN. Doubtless in whimsical vein, Mr. Peter Frascr tabled a- question to the Premier suggesting that as Sir Joseph Ward hac announced his ability to provide workers dwellings at a cost to tenants of 10/ C weekly, and to spend four millions ster ling on the scheme, would the Government this session embody this scheme ir legislation, and, added the Labour mem ber, "will he be prepared to seek Sii Joseph Ward's advice and assistance ir dealing with such an urgently needed long and overdue measure." INFORMATION WANTED. Mr. 0. W. Russell (ex-Minister o Internal Affairs) 'has commenced to taki an active interest in Parliamentary a'fairs from the Opposition point of view To-day lie gave notice to move for severa important returns. One -sought detail: of the expenditure of £430,917, charge: and expenses on loans during finaneia year 191S-19, showing the sums (if any) paid the Imperial Government, and tin names of persons or firms to whom the payments were made .in excess of £100 The member for Avon also gave notice to move for a return showing the exac nature of the arrangements made wit! the Imperial Government for the suppb of meat, wool and other produce, the dati on which l each arrangement expires, tin specific puri>ose for which each arrange ment was made, and whether it is true as stated publicly, that the meat pur chased by the Imperial Government, ant not required for military purposes, hai been sold to meat rings and retailed at ai enormous advance on New Zealand price? Another question to which Mr. Russel wants an answer concerns the High Commissionership. He desires the Premier to say, in view of the expiry of the High Commissioner's present term of office on October 22, whether he will announce the Government's intention respecting it; was it contemplated appointing a Resident Commissioner in London in addition to the High Commissioner, and was it intended to reappoint Sir Thoma3 Mackenzie ior" the full period of three years? NOTHING DOING. Mr. Holland had a sly dig at Reform, and its erstwhile Minister. "Don"' Fisher to-day. Had the Prime Minister denied the statement alleged to have

been made by Mr. pishcr that he resigned his place in the New Zealand Cabinet to go to England for war service? asked the official leader of tho Labour group. Mr. Massey: Ido not intend to interfere with domestic politics or in any other matter in any othel country except our own.

Mr. Peter Eraser: May I ask, in the interests of truth if the statement is going to be denied. The retort was silence. ANTI-SHOUTING LAW. Some people are under the impression that significance is to be attached to the fact that no reference was made in the; Expiring Laws Continuance Act to the anti-shouting law. Any fear or hope that the matter was overlooked is! quite groundless. The anti-shouting provisions came into force in 101G as a result of the passing of the War Regulations Amendment Act, which unless soon repealed or revoked, shall remain in operation during the present war with Germany, and for one year thereafter, or for such shorter period thereafter as the Government may by proclamation make after the 'end of that war be determined. SUGGESTED COAL CONFERENCE. (Replying to the Alliance of Labour's suggestion that a conference representing the Government, coal miners, and coal owners be called, the Premier has written offering to appoint a chairman if such a conference be arranged. He is .ap"pa£'en'tily in doubt whether Ithe Alliance of 'Labour wishes the conference to be called by the Government, or can be mutually arranged mow that an officially nominated chairman is available. NORTH AUCKLAND LINE. Mr. Coates gave notice to ask the Minister of Public Works to-day if he will immediately start construction of the North Auckland Trunk railway line from Wairoa River southwards. Tlie member pointed out that there were two tunnels to construct in this section, and declared that unless a start was made with them completion of the line would be delayed at least a year.