THE SESSION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2764, 6 May 1916, Page 8

THE SESSION

THE BUSINESS TO COME

FIRST—COMPULSION

PENSIONS,. FINANCE, AND OTHER MATTERS

. The legislative programme of the Government for the sossion of Parliament to open next week will be ono of the shortest on record, but ono of the most important in the history of responsible Government in New Zealand.

First on the list and first in importance is tho Compulsion Bill, which will probably appear under tho title National tiervice Bill, and at the earliest possible date. The scheme has been already outlined, and it may be assumed that the Government have adhered to their first intention of adopting a scheme of compulsion which would work in conjunction with voluntary enlistment. While the supply of single men lasts it is possible—and this is the'earnest prayer of tho Government—that tho threat of impending compulsion will bo such a spur to recruiting that little, if any, compulsion will have to bo exercised. On the otlier hand, a system which for tho purposes of assessment of quotas divides the country up into a largo number of relatively small recruiting areas' may lead to confusion and anomalies if compulsion is to bo applied within these small areas. Jn some districts recruiting has been generous, and the supply of single men is almost exhausted. In others the supply is ample for months ahead: Unless it is specifically provided against, this anomaly will exist —that in one district single men will be available in plenty, while in another men with dependants will be required to go either voluntarily or under compulsion. The Government, it is understood, have always considered the more scientific Continental system inapplicable 111 New Zealand. On tho Continent the custom is to call up men in groups according to their ago, single men being taken always in preference to married men. Tho difference there is that the men have_previously all undergone training, and in war time they arc called up for active service. Hero the men are called up to. loarn the business of soldiering, but no clear case lias yet been made out why men should not be called up in groups to enter camp for training, just as they are called up in France for active service. The only serious obstacle to this appears to be the small size and frequency of tho drafts required under our. training scheme. At any rate, tho Bill, wliatevei its filial shane may be, lias been considered fully by Cabinet, and hajs been sent' to the printer to be reprinted in its new form.

Nothing very much is known about the Government's proposed ame-ndments to- tho War Pensions Act. We liave been constantly informed that "The New Zealand War Pensions Act is the' test in the world,. and we are going to make it better." hut exactly what the Prime Minister and iilic others mean to do 111 the way of "making' it better" is not known. ..The probabilities aro that they will not increase the pension rates generally. They may increase tlie allowance of os. allowed ni rcspcct uf every child, bvit that is the only important increaselikely to be made. They mil also remove •'certain classes of anomalies which cxsiiN'ieiice has discovered in administration of the Act.' These latter • proposals, although th'oy may still a tieiu of. clamour, are not important. St)ino>weeks ago it was seated that the Government wero'considering the whole question of how to relieve married men and others who wero called upon to serve, and who were saddled with financial and other responsibilities. This question has proved a difficult and vexatious one at Home. The Government will ask for extended powers under tho War Itegulations Act, an Act which already gives to the Executive very wide powers indeed. The point of most public interest about this iiill will be that relating to control of tho liquor traffic. Ministers have received numerous doputations about- tho sale of liquor near camp areas, and they have expressed their readiness to impose some restrictions. The Defence Minister/has expressed doubts as to the possible' benefits of very early closing o! hotels. .Other Ministers have expressed no opinion on this point. But both the Primo . Minister and the Defence Minister liavo condemned the practico of "treating," or "shouting," and it is probable that if tho Houso gives tho Government the powers it asks for a'regulation.or regulations will be made to stop this practice. It will bo a very difficult regulation to: draw, and a very difficult one to enforce.

And, of course, there is to bo a loan. Tho only question the House has to decide is whether the Government shall liavo power to borrow. Tlio question of where the money is to bo raised is one for the Government. On tho import and export figures'now, however, New Zealand must be a lending country rather than a borrowing country. There wip be other' financial . proposals for raising revenue, it is expected. 'The most interesting Bill domestic in character will be o'ho doaling with tho settlement of soldiers on land. Tho general opinion is that tho session will last for from two .to three months. The business could, bo. done in two months easily, but- those .whdi know Parliament know well that it is never real business that occupies most of the time of a session. Tho Budget .will bo ini]>ortant, and the Minister does not intend to give any information as to its contents until lie meets the Houso with his. Financial Statement.