PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 210, 4 September 1919, Page 7

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

~ WELLTXGTON, Wednesday. MINISTERIAL- MYSTERIES.

Opposition members who tried to exercise their privileges of questioning Ministers verbally in the House" on urgent matters to-day. encountered obstacles all along the line, because when the Minister of Public Health was asked a question he was not to be found, though all Ministers were present. Someone wanted to question the Minister in Charge of Forests, who was identified, but is a member of the Upper House. The Prime Minister endeavoured to act for everybody, but, having- no.information, could give none, so questioning will wait until portfolios are shuffled. THE WIDOWS ALLOWANCE.

Among the questions . addressed to •Ministers to-day relating to soldiers was | one by Mr. Anderson to Sir James Allen j on behalf of widowed mothers. He| pointed out several cases in which soli diers' mothers had, through ignorance of: their privilege, failed to apply for the; ■widow's allowance until long after their' eons' departure. He also mentioned a 1 case in his district in which the mother of a Mam Body boy was informed that she was ineligible for the allowance because two sons -were away. Tne second son left with the Sixteenth Reinforcements. This sort of thing was unjust. Evasion of responsibility because of a woman's ignorance of the position. Sir James Allen promised to make a Tull statement on the subject of widows' allowances when lie made a statement ■about general gratuities later. Mr. Isitt suggested the setting up of a special committee to deal with .petitions and other matters relating to| soldiers. The Minister, however, demurred, expressing the opinion that such a course wocld not -be wise. I THE MEAT CONTRACTS. j Mr. Pearce asked the Premier if hel bad yet cabled to discover whether con-j tracts with the United States and the' Argentine had ceased, because if con-! tracts expired in a month or two, shiW would be available for Xew Zealand »' Mr aMssey replied that a cable had *een dispatched on the subject thisi morning.