POLITICAL NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17179, 27 May 1916, Page 10

POLITICAL NOTES.

[From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, May 26. A PENSION POINT. Mr Anderson asked the Hon J. Allen to-dav. in reference to officers who transferred from New Zealand to the mperiaP Force, .whether .the. wouhT forfeit their claims to New Zealand PC The° n Hon J. Allen: They have a right to claim a pension in |»«jer torco if'thev have served in both. Our BUI savs they cannot claim both pensions, but mav claim the higher of the two. SEPARATION ALLOWANCES. Mr Payne asked the Hon J. Allen to-day to explain the position of a soldier who bad a wife and children. He" read a letter from a trooper who stated that he had understood when lie enlisted that his wife would receive a shilling a day separation allowance and sixpence each for his children, yet since entering camp he had been informed that tho children's ahowance only began when he left IScw ZcadThe Hon J. Allen: \ I should bo obliged if the member will give 'me the name, so that we can trace the case. I do not know of any such case. TEN, SHILLING NOTES. Considerable inconvenience to traders i* bein" caused by the shortage of halt sovereigns, stated Mrs Ell in the House to-dav, in the course of a request that the Government should isstie ten shilling notes. v ' ' - The Prime Minister replied that the matter was under consideration, and he hoped to lie able to make a statement in a few days. CASUALTIES FROM FRANCE. Tho Minister of Defence announced in the House that information regarding reporting casualties to New Zealanders on the western front had been received, showing that lists would arrive in New Zealand probably a week or ten days after the occurrence of the casualties/ WILLOCHRA ALLEGATIONS. Mr Poole asked the Hon G.' W. Russell to-day if he was aware' of alleged ' dissatisfaction amongst soldiers about to be shipped in-the Willochra and also of their friends. Mr Russell: Not one word or whisper of 'dissatisfaction regarding the Willochra being used as a transport has reached me. Not only has the vessel been doubly fumigated but the Union Company is providincr an entirely fresh crew, with the exception of the principal, officers and a few minor men it is impossible to replace b'efore the ehip sails. In no case is a man to bo allowed loavo unless revaccination has.-proved absolutely satisfactory. The, Minister went on to refer to a question put by Mr Poole yesterday respecting reported discrimination betw eon the crew and officers of the Willochra in the matter of liberty. Mr Russell stated that he had telegraphed to the Health Officer at Dunedin-and had received the following report:— "Officers of Willochra have not been allowed ashore. Wharf barricaded and guarded by military, only admissions to and from port being by cards signed by .Health Officer. No cards are issued to officers of the ship, only to workmen of the> Union Company." TWO LEADERS. Some members' criticisms of the Finance Minister caused Mr Massey to pay a high tribute to Sir Joseph Ward, who 4 is temporarily absent through indisposition. ' fit is not necessary," said Mr Massey/ "for-me to defend him. .He is well able to defend himself, either in this House or in the country. He has been my colleague since the war broke out and I have been very intimate with him since that time. He has conducted himself as a British citizen and a patriotic Now Zealauder would do," The House generally applauded the Prime Minister's remarks. "' AMERICAN-BUILT SHIPS. Mr Payne asked the Prime Minister this afternoon if he would take steps to acquire somo of the American-built ships which are available in order to ease the shortage in shipping space for' the Dominion. • ' • Mr Massey.'l can tell the lion member that the Government has no intention at the present time to buy American-built ships now. It would, probably mean that at the end of the war they would be worth not more than a third of tho present value. . PLEA FOR LIGHT KEEPERS. In reply to Mr Poole this afternoon, who suggested that all' lighthouse keepers should receive a war bonus owing to the increased cost of living, Dr. M'Nab asked the member to renew.the question after the Government's financial proposals had been discussed. THE WAR OUTLOOK. The Prime Minister committed himself to prophecy regarding the war outlook to-night. ' Speaking on the pensions' scheme, which he maintained must be as progressive as our experience permitted, he declared, " I'm sorry to say the outlook in tho way of bringthe war to a close is not good. I don't think it will end for a long time to come. I'm not an expert but I look at it from a common-sense point. Wo have to be careful, because the outlook to-day is not so good for the conclusion of the war as it appeared a year, ago.' • ■ Later Mr Massey read tho King's messago announcing the number of soldiers in the Empire's service. He assumed that it included the colonial troops. "It was a magnificent achievement," he said, " and I feel certain that the magnificent spirit which has been displayed will' enable us to see this thing right through to the cud, however far off, however great the sacrifice." (Applause.)