POLITICAL NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10136, 26 November 1918, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES

PARLIAMENT'S WORK | SHORT BUT BUSY SESSION EXPECTED: ; Parliament resumes .to-day after the week's adjournment because of the influenza epidemic. Tho Houso of Representatives meets at 11 o'clock this morning and tly? Legislative Council at S.v.U this afternoon. Several members are still ill and others are detained at their homes dv illness in their lam> lies; but it is lerv necessary that tho work of the session should be vigorously proceeded with, in order that tho Dominion's delegates to the Peace Contereuco mav bo able to get leave for Home at an early date. A number of important .bills, it is understood; have -booir-prepared by various .departments; but, under tho circumstances, the number of measures to be introduced will necessarily be cufc clown to the minimum, while the scope of .the bills that are introduced must bo very strictly, limited. It is expected that the work of the session will be completed within tho next fortnight or so. Tho Repatriation Bill has been printed, and is to be considered by tho jttepatjiation Board to-day. Tho Prime Minister informed a "Times" representative yesterday that he anticipated that the Liquor Bill would bo brought- down, at the end of tho week. Mr Massev added that he expected to be able to make a statement within two or three davs as to who are to be the delegates to represent the Dominion at the Peace Conference. The iirst live items on the Order Paper for the House of 'Representatives to-day are:—(l) Military Decorations and Distinctive Badges Bill, to be committed; (2) War'.Le'ffislation Bill, to be committed; (3) Committee ot Supply; (4) Committee of Ways and Means:' (5) Aviation Bill; second reading. It is considered unlikely that the Aviation Bill will bo reached. Sir Joseph Ward is to introduce his first post-war Budget this evening. It is understood thai, no-taxation is likely to bo imposed, and' that no remissions, at least no great remissions, of taxation, will be possible at the present stage. The revenue is buoyant; and tho £12,000.1100 of accumulated sur. pluses make the financial position of the country an exceptionally strong one. Increased public works expenditure may be looked for in connection with the repatriation proposals. %