MATTERS OF INTEREST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, 19 March 1921, Page 4

MATTERS OF INTEREST

NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL No final decision haß yet been ar rived at regarding the site for the National War Memorial to be erected in Wellington. The Minister for Defence said jesterday that from what he knew - ot the mind of Cabinet the possible sites had been narrowed down "to two. inere was a great diversity of public opinion on the choice. It was better there should be some delay than they should make a wrong choice.

COST OF LIVING- r There have been several members this session as to the l*o vernment's intentions with respect ;to bonus superannuated civil servants/ , '■■,,• -<';'-- Mr Veitcli asked a question ypterdav, and the Prime Minister,JepM? that just at present £lW,Oo&w*#; ;a considerable sum,,in vie^qf-^tliad

taken place throughout the Dominion. This recollection was the payment commenced in October of last ye-'.r, and he proposed to leave the matter ,over till they met lor the business session later in the year. There was not so much need tor a bonus as the cost of living had fallen. Mr McCombs: "The Statistician does not show that it has. Tlitre has been an increase of 72 points since October. The Prime Minister said he know exactly what the Statistician said. He. had his report on his desk. He added: "There are, quite a number of articles now on sale which arc far too high in price. I honestly believe there is more profiteering going on now than during the war." : Mr Sullivan asked if they were to understand the bonus would be continued after March 31« t. The Prime Minister said lie had not promised that the bonus commenced in October, but he could not be sure whether it commenced with a re prospective payment. He intended to look into that. IMPERIAL WAR DKirr "Will the Prime Minister give the House an assurance that he wdl not commit New Zealand to a pooling of the resources of various countries in connection with the Imperial war debt.-"' was the question asked by Mr Holland in the House yesterday afternoon. Mr Massey's reply was emphatic. "'I want him to understand that when i goto the Conference." he said, "I go not as a delegate. I go as a, representative of the people of Now Zealand, and I go with a free hand, and I do not intend to make any pledges as suggested bv the member for Buller."

REDUCTION OF OVER SKAS FREIGHTS PROBABLE Brighter prospects for securing'*! reduction in oversea shipping freights were reported to fi>« Umuo hy the 'Prinie Minister last night. I have been negotiating with shipping owners for the last few weeks," he said, "and I Jim able to say now that the prospects of a considerable reduction in the freights charged for our more important articles of produce are very good indeed." He added that he could not give details at present. Mr Wilford: ''They are surely not' going to cut their own, throats ?" Mr Massey: "If the shipping oompa nies do riot help producers to get their produce te the markets of the world at reasonable rates, they then sire committing suicide. Mr Wilford: "Quite so." CENSORSHIP OF LETTERS The Postmaster-General was asked by Mr Holland (Buller) whether the system of censorship of letters was operating with his knowledge at the General Post Office? Several of his own letters bad arrived lately, bearing evidence of having been opened. Otfior j>eople, including a, business n.-an, had had similar experiences. The Hon. .T. G. Coates replied that be had no knowledge of anything of the kind, and he was very sorry to hear that such things had happened. From what he had seen he believed that the complaint was justified, but ho felt confident that the staff was not to blame, and that the trouble was outside. He would again take such steps as would ensure as far as tl e Government was concerned, that no thing-of the kind would occur.