POLITICAL NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2501, 30 June 1915, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

THE LOAN BILL. The Public Kevonues Amendment Bill, introduced in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, is to empower the Minister-of Finance to raise, on" the security of and charged upon the public revenues of New Zealand, such sums of money, not exceeding in the whole the sum of ten million pounds, as lie thinks fit. Interest is provided for at a rate not exceeding 5 per cent, per annum, and provision is made for raising part, or all, of the money, on the security of Treasury bills. HEAVY WAR EXPENDITURE. The Controller and Auditor-General rojwrted to Parliament yesterday that owing to the exceptional conditions arising out of the war it was necessary for the Audit Office to issue moneys in excess of the statutory approximations for "tho War Expenses Account." This was accordingly done 011 the undertaking that the Government wotid introduco validating legislation, and indemnify the Audit Office. The amount issued was aj follows :—War Expenses Account, Cr7S,-554 4s. 3d.; Unauthorised Expenditure Account, £36,559 Is. Bd. The Bill to validate the extra expenditure was introduced yesterday afternoon. THE VACANT PORTFOLIO. Tho prevailing curiosity as to who is to be offered the place 111 the Cabinet rendered vacant by t'he absence from politics of Mr. F. M. B. Fisher was given expression to in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, when the Leader of the Opposition asked tho Prime Minister whether the Government had decided yet upon the filling of the vacant portfolio. It had been vacant for some time, and information was desired as to which of the Prime Minister's honourable colleagues would receive the position, so that he might receive in turn the congratulations of the Opposition. (Laughter.) Mr. Masse,v: As soon as the Government has decided 011 filling the position the House will be notified accordingly. And I am quite sure that the gentleman that we appoint will meet with tlio approval of tho honourable gentlemen, as well as of all the other members of the House.

Sir Joseph Ward: We desire to know because we have been calling one member 011 the other side "the Honourable Mr. So-and-So" for some time, and we don't want to go on hurting his feelings any longer. (Laughter.) Mr. Massey: There need be no mistako about that, because every member 011 this side of the House ' is worthy of being called "honourable," and some of them "right honourable." (Laughter.^ STATE ADVANCES, A statement in regard to the State Advances Department was made in the House yesterday by tho Minister of Finance (the Hon. J. Allen], The Minister stated that for somo time past advances to settlers had been made up to £1000, 'the maximum allowed by lawbeing £2000. lie gave the monthly totals that had been advanced to settlers sinco October last. In October the amount was £54,000, in November it was £76,000, in December £71,000, whilst in January it fell to £31,000, the limit having been lowered. Sir Joseph Ward: That was after tho elections were over!

Mr. Allen: Yes, but the limit was lowered before the elections and was raised afterwards. This is the opposite of what was in the right honourable gentleman's time. Proceeding with his statement the Minister said that the total advanced in February was £57,000; in March it was £63,000; and the amount wits still going up, 111 regard to advances to workers, the limit now stood at the maximum of £450. The limit in this case also was raised after the elections. The arrangements by means of which loans can be obtained for the purpose of paying off previous mortgages have also been made since tho elections. Ido not think that we can be accused of bribing the electors in this matter.

• Sir Joseph Ward: The elections were only finished last week. (Laughter.) Mr. Allen continuing said that settlers could now borrow up t-o £450 for the purpose of paying off old mortgages, whilst loans up to a similar amount could also be obtained for building houses. In regard to local bodies ho said that the limit for county councils had been raised from £3000, and novr stood at £5000. In regard to a question that had been asked by Mr. Anderson (Mataura), be said that he had not stated that the Gorern. ment would not continue making advances to settlers, workers, and local bodies. What he had said was that tie Government could not go on advancing up to tho maximum allowed by law. Sir Joseph Ward: Can you state the total amount of repayments included in the monthly totals quoted? Mr. Allen: That wall be given in the Financial Statement. Sir Joseph Ward: I could probably give the information before the Financial Statement comes down. Mr. Allen: I would not take it as accurate if you did give it. Sir Joseph Ward: And I would not if you did. (Laughter.)