POLITICAL NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17934, 30 October 1918, Page 9

POLITICAL NOTES.

;' v ' (From Otm Oobwsspondent.] WELLINGTON, October 29. There was no abatement of the drumfire of questions, of which notice was given to-day, and they presaged prolonged criticism of the defence and other administration. Mr Parr wants financial assistance restored to soldiers' wives, and suggests Government dwellings and suburban settlements in anticipation of demobilisation. Mr Dickson has presented a petition against anyone of Gorman blood sitting in Parliament. Dr Newman desires legislation to prevent aliens by peaceful penetration rrom acquiring control of mineral and other products of the Dominion. Mr Jennings has tabled a typical cost of living question, why Sotatoes should be £9 wholesale -in hristchurch, £l7 in Auckland and £l9 in Taumarunui. An occasional stray suggestion, such as Mr Veitch's proposed State river service on tha Wanganui' River, sounds quite strange among war problems of the hour. AVIATION. Aviation was the subject of three questions during the sitting. Mr Witty asked why New Zealand cadets while ii> England received only one shilling a day and no separation allowance for wives and dependents. He also asked why, when men in camp desired to transfer to the Aviation School, where their training would cost tho Dominion .nothing, the Chief of the General Staff invariably refused a transfer. Mr Poole suggested that hydroplanes might be used from the Auckland School to patrol' for mines. IMPERIAL WAR CABINET. Mr Masseyj replying to a suggestion by Mr Craigie that New Zealand should have a representative in the War Cabinet for the duration of the war, said he would take an early opportunity of explaining his proposals, and he had no doubt the Government later on would submit proposals. NEXT WAR LOAN. Mr Smith (Pahiatua) invited the Minister of Finance to state the probable date of issue of the next war loan. . Sir Joseph W arf l replied that no loan •vould require to be put on the market before the end of March or possibly tho end of April. This referred to absolutely new requirements, but mean-

while anyone applying to the Treasury could get investments at ordinary rates.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION. The principle of allowing employers to cover the whole of the accident risk for workers was condemned by Mr Veitch in the debate on Mr Hindmarsh's Workers Compensation Bill. He said that employers should carry some of the risk, as in the case of lire insurance.

Mr M'Combs declared that _ the amount, paid to the combined ■ private companies last year was £349,329, while onlv £168,3*20 was paid in bonefits..

Other members commented on the inadequacy, especially during war time, of half-pay after ,a fortnight's incapacitation. PARTY EBULLITIONS.

" This laggardly, slow; . crawling, snail-paced National Government," was Dr Thacker's description of the Government. He declared it had put profiteers in positions of strategy. The attack on the Cabinet was sustained by Mr M'Combs, who said that it had been stated from time to time that the Liberal wing in the National Government was hampered in doing things it would like to do, but he had difficulty in deciding who were the progressives. . ,' "

The party hatchet was unburied later on by T>r Thacker, who said that the proposed Export Trade_ Committee contained nine Tories to six Liberals, and the Native Affairs Committee ten Tories to five Liberals. Mr M'Combs also put in an unavailing plea for Labour representation.