POLITICAL NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9096, 15 July 1915, Page 11

POLITICAL NOTES

GENERAL BOTHA SIR JOSEPH WARD’S SUGGES-' TIONV ' .-w The leader of the Opposition .'(Sir Joseph Ward) suggested in the House of Representatives yesterday •. that the Dominion should be given an opportunity to record in some tangible way its appreciation of the . magnificent achievement of General Botha, - who' had brought to a successful 'conclusion the campaign in German' South-West Africa. General Botha was a great man, who had done splendid 'service to * the Empire, and it would be ' a fitting recognition of his work 1 if the- people of New - Zealand w ere allowed/ to subscribe in small sums, not exceeding Is,'for a sword to be presented to the South African Prime Minister. The Prime Minister said that' he ■ had already cabled to General Botha the congratulations of T the Government, ' Parliar ment and people of New Zealand.'. He had also forwarded . a cablegram handed to him by the Hon, Dr Pomare on behalf of the Maori: race. If anything more was required he ’would be prepared to consider the matter. . . . COALITION DISCUSSION. No announcement ; was made yesterday with regard to the discussion of the coalition suggestion by thb party leaders. ■ Tlie members of ;the; Opposition will meet in caucus. to-day, and ■it is probable that the leader of the Opposition'"will have some reports to make with regard to his conferences with the Prime Minister. Lobby opinion: inclines as strongly as ever to the'belief that no, full coalition is going to be arranged. , ’ ■ , . ; . . DEFENCE OF ,THE EMPIRE. The Prime Minister, ; prompted .by a question by Mr Isitt, announced yesterday that an opportunity, would be afforded members this session ■ to 1 discuss whatihas .been done bv New Zealand during the present - crisis towards tho defence of the Empire, and- what further action should "be taken; ’ MILITARY ISOLATION. A Government supporter, Mr, J. G. Coates (Kaipara) waxed very wrath in the House yesterday with regard to the difficulties thrown in the -way of securing any communication with the Trentham camp. He mentioned that he had tried telephoning over and over again without any satisfactory result, and it seemed Useless to send telegrams. He had dispatched _ two that morning and the previous night without receiving any reply. CONTROL OF PATRIOTIC FUNDS. The Minister for Defence was asked by Mr J Vigor Brown, (Napier) in the House yesterday whether the Government will take some action to stop selfappointed collectors from asking the public for money for various war funds unless they have written authority to do so from an official appointed by the Government or local authority? Mr Brown pointed out that many people feel'that in some cases money so subscribed does not arrive at its proper destination. Mr Allen replied.that the principle involved • would _ practically mean placing all such contributions under Government control, a result much to be desired, hut objected to in many instances by donors. Tho .Government

proposes to pass legislation providing for the audit of all the various war and patriotic funds, ■' w DISTRESSED FRUITGROWERS.,’! The Prime Minister informed Dr Me*) Nab in the House*yesterday that thur case of Hawke’s Bay fruitgrowers who, , have suffered during the past season > being inquired into and is receiving sympathetic consideration. Dr Me* Nab, however, quoted a case in which! remission of rent had been refused on the ground that the youth of an or* chard and not the bad season was ro4 sponsible for failure. The bon. mem* ber throw out the suggestion that small-dated loans dliould ho arranged, to enable orohardishs to meet the if obligations. : THE POLICE FORCE. Projected changes in the police fore* have attracted the attention of Mr J, A/: Hanan (Invercargill), who intends tu ask the Minister for Justice next weeks (1) Whether it he true, as reported, that the Minister gave a written pro* mise to detectives of full rank that they should have the status of a scr* geant in uniform; and, if so, has such promise been given effect to? (2) Has a new system of dealing with detectives been decided upon; and, il so, what i* the nature thereof?, ’ MISTAKEN 1 IDENTITY. With reference to the unseemly in.; terruptions' which came from the Gov- . eminent side during the speeches of Opposition members on army matters on Wednesday, Mr J. S, Dickson (Par* nell) denies that lie was one of the cul* prits. He admits that an offensive suggestion came from his quarter of tha House, but the interjection was noj 'his, FIRST"BLOOD. The first division of the session' oc* curred last night in connection with Mi{ Sidey’s Daylight Saving*'Bill. "Th* House had spent the whole evening discussing the bill, usually in a jbeuj Jar vein, though there were several passages of arms, due'mainly to th® member for Hntt’s ingenious baiting of Government members. Finally M# Hine (Stratford) moved that the bill should be read a second _ time six months* hence, and on a division , amendment was defeated by 41 vote® to 26, The announcement of the vote ing, representing a victory for an Op* position member in tlie first division off the session, was greeted with applause) from the Opposition benches. Thebillj was read a second time on the voices#' “IS THIS A COALITION ?” ;'A During discussion in the House last; night, Sir Joseph Ward rose to make a, personal explanation and greeted; with the cries that usually arise from certain members on the, Ministerial side. Thereupon he entered a protest against the “custom of howling ant* laughing and jeering which'has recent* ly come into vogue on the Government* side. • It is a disgrace to the membera who indulge in it,” ho. added._ Mr Massey immediately rose to,, a point or order to protect his henchmen, .where-; upon Mr Payne ejaculated: “Is this » coalition?” The sally wad greeted with roars of laughter, but Mr Massey was equal to the occasion and remark* ed; “It may bo a collision.”