PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 251, 22 October 1919, Page 8

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM TUB GALLERY. WIDOWS AND* MINERS' PENSIONS. IMPROVEMENTS THIS YEAR. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. In reply to a question by Mr. Hornsby to-day, the Prime Minister informed the House that Cabinet had considered the question of improving the Widows' Pension Act, and an Attending Bill was before Cabinet at the present time, and would be introduced before the session ended. The Premier added that the. proposal would not go as far as some members had asked, but the Government had gone as far as was considered possible at present. Mr. Massey further stated that there would also be an amendment of the Miners' Phthisis Act brought down. SOLDIERS' GRAVES. The Prime Minister was asked by Mr. W. Jennings to-day if there was any clinnce to have the remains of soldiers' buried in France and Gallipoli removed to (Ireat Britain or brought to New Zealand? Mr. Massey explained that a number of inquiries of this nature had reached him while he was in France early this year, and in every case the request bad been turned down by the Imperial authorities, on the ground that to attempt anything of the sort would result simply in chaos. The Premier added that he could assure parents and relatives that the graves in France were receiving every care, while an attempt was being made to identify and care for graves on Gallipoli. THE ELECTIONS. The Leader of the Opposition asked the Premier to-day if he could hold Maori elections on the same day as the European. He also expressed a desire to .know if a statement made by the Minister of Defence at Christchurch, indicating the first week in December as the probable date of the elections was correct. Mr. Massey replied that he could not give an answer, because the date was not yet fixed. As for the "Maori elections, he personally favoured holding all elections on the same day. but it was worth while consulting the Maori members. The latter had approached him, stating th.it it was impossible to use the rolls which were being printed in connection with the election, and an amendment of the law would be necessary. OIL FUEL SUPPLIES. A suggestion was made to the Premier by Mr. Luke to-day that inquiries be made with a view to securing a supply of oil fuel, so that steam standby plants for hydro-electric services could be provided with this fuel. Mr. Luke also wished inquiries to be made about supplies and storage reservoirs.. Mr. Massey undertook to make inquiries. It was, he said, no secret that New Zealand expected to have an oil burning cruiser in its waters. There would be no difficulty about supplies, but reservoirs would have to be provided. He understood that the Auckland Harbour Roard was prepared to erect an oil reservoir on the waterfront, and the Union Company contemplated doing the same thing. EDUCATION BOUQUETS. More than half a dozen members said appreciative things during the Education Bill debate regarding the administration of the Hon. J. A. Hanan when Minister of Education. The bouquets were probably all the more acceptable as some came from the ex-Minister's political opponents. Mr. Isitt led the way with a very hearty tribute to Mr. Hanan's capacity, Mr. Sykes referred to the ex-Minister's enthusiasm, tact, and courtesy. Mr. Tnlbot's view was that he could only hope, for the sake of the education of the future, that Mr. Hanan would be Minister of Education in the next Parliament; while Mr. W. H. Field (from tbe Government .benches), untroubled by this political prayer, said he entirely agreed with all that bad been said about Mr. Hanan's good work for education. He felt that if the late Minister had had money at his disposal be would have brought about many improvements in the education system. HEAVY DEATH DUTIES. An interesting petition illustrative of how heavy death duties may be imposed on an estate through unfortunate circumstances has been considered by tbe Public Petitions Committee of" the House. Mary A. Harding, of Palmerston North, petitioned praying for a reduction in death duties on a deceased relative's estate. The committee at first reported that it had no recommendation to make, but tbe matter was ventilated in the House, it being shown that through three deaths of legatees within two years an estate originnllv worth £30,000 had paid £5000 in death duty. The recommendation was referred back, in the hope that the committee could find some method of relief. It has now reported recommending that legislation be introduced making a reduction on death duties where the successors die withm a year of each other, thus following the lines of Imperial legislation. OVERWORKED MOTHERS. * Nearly a thousand women of Poverty Bay East Coast district, have petitioned Parliament through Mr. Mac Donald earnestly begging for immediate restoration of pre-war reduced passages for domestic help. They point out that many women are breaking down in health from overwork and strain, while the low birthrelief i "°* k , e '7 t0 impr ° Ye " n,ws <*°H*e udief is afforded overworked mothers. UREWERA LANDS. In reply to a question regarding the disposal of the U.ewera land acquired by the Lrown from t!l e native H s , th Minister for Lands (the Hon. D H Guthrie) replied that some of the area had passed into the hands of the Lands Department. It must all be thrown open in one block, however, for it did not pay to deal with it in any other wav The land would be thrown open as soon as possible.

„„T ,; -Tk 8 "' 1 Co-operative Terminating Building Society's usual monthly advertisement, appearing iv another ti Ilk °« t h l* issUe ' notifies members that the. October meeting for appropriations will be held at St. James' Hall, ou Thursday, 30th inst, when £9600 will be allocated by ballot and sale. Tuesday, -Sth inst., being the last day on which shares can be made "financial" for the meeting. Special attention is drawn to the change of day to Thursday on this occasion, owing to Labour Day holiday on Monday. 27th inst., and shareholder."* are urged, as usual, to protect their interests by making their shares financial in all circumstances.