POLITICAL NOTES.

Bruce Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 66, 23 August 1917, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

PUBLIC "SERVICE COMMISSIONER

r ' FEOM ODE OWN COES^ESPONDENT. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT. WELLINGTON, August 21. The debate on the Financial Statement will probably continue till the end of the week, ami the House will then bo able to go on with the business of the country in a 'workmanlike manner. The debate in its later phases was far more interesting than in the earlier. A few speeches were of a very liigh order, but most of them were -of a mediocre character. The Government was called to book by the Liberal Whip ar.d several other members on that side of the House. Mr Wilkinson criticised it trenchantly, and Dr Newman was very explicit in regard to its sins of omission and commission. But when all is said and done there cati.be no doubt, that the country has <caus©'. to be pleased that it has a National and not a Party Government. No party could be strong enough to carry on the country's business under present conditions and impose the necessary 'taxation aud other disabilities and restrictions which the war has rendered unavoidable. WHEAT-GROWING.

The question of wheat-growing came up again in the House on Wednesday, ■when the member for Rangitikei asked if- the Government did not think it would be wiser to encourage the fanners to grow winter feed for stock in some wet districts, especially in the North Island, than to ask them to grow ■wheat. The Minister for Agriculture did not think that it would be wise to ask farmers to do anything of the kind. The difficulties experienced in obtaining wheat in Australia were great. In that country wheat was not graded as it was in New Zealand, aud the wheat had to be taken as it was offered. While he quite agreed that in some portions of New Zealand it would be next to impossible to obtain good wheat owing to climatic conditions, the Canterbury and North Otago growers would consult their own interests if they grew wheat. They could obtain a fair price for that <sereal, and a sure market. By fattening lambs they would not be certain of a market, as the freezing chambers •would be full at the beginning of the season. Further, it was the Government's business to encourage the production of sufficient wheat to supply the wants of its own population. PRICE OF BUTTER. Mr Horrisby (member for Wairarapa) made a foolish statement in the House on Tuesday evening. He was denouncing the inaction of 'the Government in connection with the ■cost of living problem, and said that certain dairy factories were willing to sell their butter at a price which would enable it to be retailed at a shilling a pound. When the House mdt on Wednesday Dr Newman asked if the Prime Minister had availed himself of the generous offer of the member for Wairarapa, and when the butter would be available for the public of Wellington. The Prime. Minister said that as soon as lie ■had the butter it would be distributed. Of course, as in the case of Mrs 'Arris, there is no "sich" butter.

On Thursday afternoon' the House was occupied 'dealing with the report of the Public Service Commissioner. This report, as in the case of its predecessors, is lengthy and full of information about the great Civil service of the State. It is questionable if all that -was expected from this Commissioner lias been fulfilled. No doubt there would have been fuller results had it not been for the war. But that great convulsion of civilisation has turned •back the clock in ■ many ways, and among these is the stagnation of the New Zealand Civil service. The Commissioner's rule has had one good effect. It-has removed the service from th© influence of politics. Nowadays the man without political pull has as good a chance of employment if he has merit as the political tout. The child of the uninfluential citizen, is taken upon its.merits as shown at the public, examinations, and- is given a fair and a full field without favour. If the Commissioner's rule has done nothing further, it has done that, for which the public should be thankful. 'BONUSES TO CIVIL SERVANTS. The question of bonuses to Civil servants came up for consideration on the Commissioner's report, and there ftere Bome very strenuous comments made • Upon, the fact that men with large salaries were given bonuses last year. When it was alleged that last session there had. been no evidence of the j Government's intention to do this, 1 there .was room for mort accuracy. These were discussed and protested against last session very vigorously by the members for Mataura and Wallace, and 'the Government made a full explanation of its reasons for giving them. It is fairly certain that there will not be any such bonuses this sess/m without full and free protests, and divisions if necessary. ' MARRIED MEN'S CLAIMS. While members were opposed-to bonuses to highly-paid officials, they were not adverse to payments to those in receipt of £3OO and under. But they .asked that married men with'families should 'be given preference. These had a difficulty 'to meet their responsibilities, while their fellow-servants in the enjoyment" of single blessedness were paid a bonus, ..notwithstanding the fact that they 'bad quite sufficient to main-

tain themselves in comfort on their ordinary salary. The member for Hawkes Bay and others urged the claims of the married man, and the member for Mataura asked consideration for the young cadets who were not in receipt of enough to keep them in Wellington under existing conditions. The Government ,will without doubt pay the bonuses this year to the lower salarised officers irrespective of whether they are married or not. The task of differentiating would be too great. INSCRIBED STOCK. Owing to the urgency of the Inscribed Stock Bill, the main provisions of which were published on Saturday and which is a necessary concomitant to the war loan, permission was granted to Sir .Joseph Ward (Minister for Finance) lo proceed witli the measure. Jn dealing with the advantages of inscribed block, Sir Joseph Ward.stated that if any such stock was stolen ,it would be impossible i'or any person to make use of it, as it was registered, and a complete registration system was established in the Treasury. If for the first time in the country's history the sum of £23,000,000 of stock was to be raised, then he was sure that, every member would realise that everything should be done to ensure safety. There should be no fear of stock passing away into the hands of other people. As to amounts up to £SOO, anyone holding certificates from £IOO to £SOO could ■have them converted into inscribed stock or bonds with a view to obtaining 5 per cent, interest. If any stock certificates were handed back to tlf.e Treasury they could be reinscribed and the certificates cancelled, the Treasury being responsible for the payiug, of interest. The Bill was put through its remaining stages in the. Lower House, and passed without amendment. "A NECESSARY EVIL." ' l l suppose that the National Cabinet of New Zealand is the most hated national institution in this country," said Mr C. 11. Poole in the House of Representatives one night last week. "You go round the country and hear people saying anything but what is complimentary about the Cabinet, and yet they recognise that it is a necessary evil" Mr Poole added that the responsibilities of Parliamentary representation at this time were of such a nature that they were not to be dealt lightly with.