POLITICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17270, 20 September 1919, Page 10

POLITICAL NOTES.

THE VICTORY WAR LOAN. LATER CLOSING DATE WANTED. [BT TKLBGIUPH.—STECIAIi KEPOETEJi.] WELLINGTON. FridayA postponement of the closing date of the Victory Loan, at present "open for subscription, was suggested by Mr. j R. W. Smith (Waimarino), in the House of Representatives to-day. He asked the Minister for Finance, Sir. James Allen, if he would postpone the closing date for a fortnight, and make a- similar extension o. the time within which, the first instalment must be paid. Sir James Allen said that if- the whole sum were not subscribed within the' stipulated time he was prepared to give \ effect to the first suggestion. Consideration would have to be given to the pro- ■ posal to extend the time for payment of ! the first instalment. In reply to Sir Joseph. Ward, the Minister said that if an extension were granted, those to whom compulsion was to be applied would be given the extra time to take up the required r mount of the loan without incurring the' penalises under the compulsion clauses.

J WOMEN. IN PARLIAMENT. The Women's Parliamentary Right* Extension Bill, . introduced in. the House of Representatives by the Prime Minister, has been circulated. The Bill has one operative - clause, which is as,follows:—A woman shall not be disqualified by sex or marriage from being appointed or elected as a member of the Legislative Council or of the House of Representatives or from sitting, o3 voting as a member of either House of Parliament, anything to the contrary in the Legislature Act, 1908, or in and other Act notwithstanding. PLETHORA OP COMMISSIONS. "I think this country is absolutely sick of commissions of inquiry boards and committees," said Dr. H. T. J. Thacker (Christelrarch East) in, the House of Representatives to-night. "If this House represents the people, why can it not deal with all these questions itself?" The matter under discussion was the Board of i Trade Bill. I

WHICH SIDE OF THE HOUSE?

When the Leader of the Labour Party was making an onslaught on the Government this afternoon, Mr. J. T. M. Hornsby (Wairarapa), who ranks as an Independent, interruDted with a loud " Ha, ha!" " That is the laugh of a man who intends to fall off the fence on the side of the Government," said Mr. Holland. " He'll fall on the right side," said Mr. Hornsby. " Yes," said Mr. Holland, " hell soon be on the right side of the Housethe outside."

OPPOSITION DISSENTIENT. The only member on the Opposition side of the House who supported the Prime Minister in his desire to proceed with the discussion of the gratuities scheme was Mr. H. Poland (Ohinemuri). Mr. Poland said that he did not wish to take any responsibility for the delay in the discussion. He thought that the House should reco<#"its opinions on the matter and allow the Government to proceed with the scheme. It appeared that if a test of strength had occurred the vote would have been on strictly party lines.