POLITICAL NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 16908, 4 December 1918, Page 4

POLITICAL NOTES

[Fiiom Our. Pahuamentahx Reporter.!

WELLINGTON, December 3. THE HAPPY DESPATCH.

Tho Minister of Justice possesses a breezy and happy way with him that often puts the House into humor for slipping business along briskly. This was instanced to-day when tho Crimes Amendment and Reformatory Institutions Bills were in progress. Tho first measure was passed, and the second brought in a minute before the luncheon adjournment. "Plenty of timo; wo have a whole minute,” genially remarked tho Hon. T. M. Wiiford, amid general laughter. “ The Bill is very necessary,” ho added. “It give?? me the right to establish institutions where girls who have gone wrong for tho first time can be put instead of among the old lags, dead-beats, and haybags of the town.” This unconventional adroitness captured the House, and tho Bill went through sil stage.?, and was parsed in tho brief spacp of three minutes.

REMARKABLE DISCLOSURE. AN ALLIANCE”ADMISSION. “ Why did the Alliance agree do the payment of £4,500,000 as compensation?” was tho blunt question put to Mr M‘Combs by Mr Downio Stewart in tho House tonight. air M'Cnmbs : I’ll tell you. The New Zealand Alliance know that the liquor traffic is well represented in this House, and had to agree to bribe the ‘trade’ in order to got the Bill through the House. The Prime Minister: You have just about killed the Bill. Mr M ! Combs i I think tho Bill is characteristic of tho National Government, and represents the weak attitude of tho Government on this and every other question. Tho Prime Minister: Will you vote against it? Mr M'Comhs: If I can’t amend it I’ll take my stand along with the Alliance, and accept the host wo can get-.-Tho Prime That is a shuffle. Sir Joseph Ward ito Mr M’Combs) s You are weaker than the National Government. (Laugh ter.) LEGISLATIVE COUN 01L. The Electric Power Boards, Bill, as received from the Lower House., was put through all stages without amendment. Tho Crimes Act .Amendment Bill and the Reformatory Institutions Act Amendment Bill were introduced, and read a second time pro forma. POST AND TELEGRAPH BILL.

The Post and Telegraph Bill eliminates the control of the Public Service Commissioners regarding the administration and appointment of the secretary and first and second assistant secretaries of the department, who will bo appointed by the Governor-General. All the other officers will ho appointed in accordance with the new provisions. A promotion board will be established, consisting of tiro members —the secretary, the chief telegraph _engineer, the chief inspector, tho superintendent of the staff', and one officer to be elected by the office) s.

Before Ihe Commissioner can make an appointment the matter will bo considered by the board, who will make a recommendation. No officer outside tho department is to bo appointed unless tho board are satisfied that no oilier man is available in the department, tho principle of tho board's recommendation to ho merit as between officers, but where merit. is equal iv.-aioritv and length of service will be considered. If tho board and Commissioner are unable to agree, the Minister is to- decide.

A Post and Telegraph Appeal Board is to be established, including an elected representative from the postal branch, one from the telegraph bianch, and two members to be appointed by the GovernorGeneral. Z-’roTißioiT is also made for grn.zet.ling regulations providing for the reclassification of the service, REPATRIATION. The Repatriation Bill (Sir James Allen) provides for the- establishment of & _Repatriation Dena-rtment. under the administration of a" Ministerial board, the appointment. of director, also departmental officers, and the sotting up of local boards and committees. Provision is also__ made for financial assistance up to £250 ter establishing discharged soldiers in civil employment. Details of the schema have already been outlined in the ‘ t>tar.’ These aro not. in tho Bill.