QUESTION DAY.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13930, 12 July 1917, Page 1

QUESTION DAY.

MINISTERIAL REPLIES ON VARIOUS TOPICS, (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 11. In the House this afternoon, replying to questions, Ministers said: The provisions of the existing Pensions Law in New Zealand are, for the most part, well in advance of similar proposals in Great Britain. Any direction, however, in which the New Zealand scheme can bo benefited on the Mm of the British scheme are being carefully considered, it being the desire of the Government to make the best provisions possible for our soldiers and dependants.

That the supply ami price of sugar to the Dominion was subject of negotiations between the Colonial Sugar Company ami the Board of Trade, and it was upon the report of the Board, that the Government agreed to an increase of £1 per ton over the price arranged for in June, 1916. Tho reasons for the increase are to be submitted in the interim report of the Board of Trade, The Colonial Sugar Company have agreed to supply our camps and military hospitals at £lB per ton. That the Government is closely watching shipping matters, with a view of taking suc i, step 3as may bo nMMsary in the.interests of both producers and consumers.

fbnt the question of assisting returned soldiers to purchase farms privately, is now under consideration, ami a measure on similar lines to the Laud Settlement Finance Act, 1909, is in contemplation.

That the suggestion to bring home on leave to New Zealand, the members of the Main Body now on service, is not practicable. Such action would undoubtedly result in n deterioration of the efficiency of our forces in the field. That tho policy regarding the treat' ment of alien enemy civilians, residing in the British Empire, on the conclusion of the war, will undoubtedly be considered by the Imperial Government, in consultation with the Governments of the Overseas Dominions,

That, in view of heavy financial obligations of the Government at the present time, the question of making further concessions in the direction of exempting from death duties small estates of soldiers, whose lives are sacrificed in the cause of tho Empire, cannot be entertained.

That it is not considered that the present is an opportune time to establish by State steamers, a connecting link between the North and South' loJands, •