POLITICAL NEWS AND NOTES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15964, 8 July 1915, Page 9

POLITICAL NEWS AND NOTES

COALITION PROPOSAL. NOT YET FINALLY DECIDED. [BT TELEGRAPHSPECIAL CORRESPONDENT] Wellington, Wednesday No announcement was made in the House or elsewhere to-day concerning the National Cabinet proposal. This does not necessarily mean that the last has been heard of it—such, at any rate, is the opinion expressed by members who should have some knowledge of the facts. It is understood that negotiations have not yet been finally broken off, but it is also understood that the chances of the proposal being given effect «to are not of the best. WORK WITHOUT TALKING. After the long wrangle of yesterday the House rested this evening, which means that it did a great deal of business in a minimum of time during this afternoon's sitting. Two Government Bills were read a third time without deDate, and four other Government Bills were advanced a stage, which is an excellent record for a private members' day. In one respect the afternoon was almost without precedent. On Wednesdays Ministers' replies to questions of the preceding week are open for discussion for a period of two hours, and members insist always on their right on these occasions" to 'ventilate grievancesBut this afternoon no single member rose to discuss questions when the opportunity was offered. The House rose at 4.35 p.m., because it had cleared the Order Paper. It is the habit of the Legislative Council to clear the Order Paper practically at j every sitting, but the House almost invari- ; ably rises with a great deal of work still i undone.

PENSIONS BILL AND BUDGET. The Pensions Bill to provide for increased pensions to soldiers or their dependents will be introduced this week, and the Financial - Statement will probably come down next week. These two items should keep the House occupied for ltinger hours than has been the custom this session. MEN SUITABLE FOR SERVICE. Notice was given to-day by Mr. Myers (Auckland East) to ask the Minister for Public Works whether the Government will, when employing men for public works, give preference to married men and to single men with dependents, or over the age for enlisting, refusing employment, as far as is consistent with the exigencies of the service, to applicants who are single men. with no ties and who are eligible to enlist in the Expediiionarv Force. MILITARY HORSES. A question regarding the purchase of horses by the Defence Department is being asked by Mr. Poole (Auckland West). He wishes to know what precautions are being taken by the Defence Department to guarantee that horses purchased for military purposes are absolutely sound and suitable. Mr. Poole states that buyers have much difficulty in getting all particulars necessary to make faultless purchases for the Department, and it is suggested that a sworn declaration be made by horse owners concerning the animals they have for sale. DEFENCE SUPPLIES TENDERS. Mr. Harris (Waitemata) is asking the Minister lor Defence whether he will see that all future tenders for supplies for Trentham camp and the transports are called for subject to delivery at any of the chief centres of the Dominion. Auckland firms, says Mr. Harris, who recently j tendered for supplies for the hospital ship were unfairly handicapped on account of having to tender c.i.f. Wellington. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS. Mr. Young (Waikato) has been elected Chairman of the Native Affairs Committee, on the motion of the Hon. W. H. Herries, seconded by Mr. W. D. S. Mac Donald (Bay of Plenty), both of whom paid a high tribute to the able manner in which Mr. Young discharged the duties of this position during the three past sessions. Mr. Parr (Eden) has been appointed a member of the Education Committee of the House, filling the vacancv caused by the absence of Mr. G. M. Thomson, exmember for Dunedin North and exchairman of the committee.