POLITICAL NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11293, 19 August 1922, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES

PRESS GALLERY NEWS ENEMY ALIENS. AMENDMENT OF ACT DESIRED. Would the Prime Minister introduce an amendment to the Enemy Aliens Act relieving Christian Syrians from the operations of the Act? asked Mr Clutha Mackenzie (Auckland East) in the House of Representatives yesterday. Jlr Massey: The matter is under consideration at present, and I thank the Minister for Internal Affairs will he able to inform the House before long what is to be done. HIGHER SALARIES. AT HIGH COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE. How were the increases of salaries at the High Commissioner’s office, London, arrived at? asked Dr. Thacker (Christchurch East) of the Prime HJinister in Parliament yesterday. W as it done by a special report on tho matter, or how? Mr Massey said that he would be very glad to tell the hon. member if he reminded him when the financial debate was on. He had not the information by him that afternoon; but there was no secret about it. Dr. Thaoker: No secret; but I want to refer to the subject in the course of the debate. STATE ADVANCES. THE TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr T. M. Wilford) reminded the Prime Minister in the House of Representatives yesterday that he had asked tome days ago for details as to the State Advances Department’s temporary investments, totalling £2,139,278. He would like, he said, to have the Setails if possible before the debate on the Financial Statement came on. Mr Massey: I believe that the document is ready; and, if so, I will see that the hon. member gets a copy. "FINANCIAL BLIZZARD.” POSITION OF CROWN SETTLERS. Dr A. K- Newman (Wellington East) gave notice yesterday to ask the Minister for Lands, whether he will introduce legislation this session to relieve soldiers who took up land and ore £IOOO or more in arrear, thus relieving them from a debt which they can never pay and from the unpleasantness of going through the Bankruptcy Court? Same or these soldiers, he states, are at present working on roads and railways, their position being due to the financial blizzard which struck New Zealand. TARANAKI OIL. NEED FOR DEVELOPMENT URGED. Mr S. G. Smith (Taranaki) desires to -jV the Miniator for Mines, whether, in view of the fact that the property and plant of the Taranaki (New Zealand) Oil Wells Company, Limited (in kiquidatriion), is now up for sale, the Government will consider urgently the question of getting into touch with representatives of the Arrgk>-Peraian Cm Company or other suitable companies with the object of endeavouring to induce those possessed of expert knowledge and capital to came to this country and develop the petroleum deposits of Taranaki? EMPIRE EXHIBITION. WHAT WILL NEW ZEALAND DO? "What steps have the Government taken to secure worthy and adequate representation of the Dominion at the British Empire Exhibition to be held in England in 1924?” is a question to the Minister for Industries and Commerce given notice of yesterday by Sir J, P. Lake (Wellington North). "The importance of the exhibition to the welfare of all parte of the Empire, including the Dominion of New Zealand, can be illustrated (stated the hoKt. gentleman) by information issued by the authorities in England, which states that the expenditure will be £1,500,000; estimated revenue, £l,750,000; estimated surplus. £250,000; ecAcnf site, £IOO.OOO. The overseas (pßnce will be confined to the erection, equipment, and maintenance of their separate pavilions. The profits resulting from the exhibition to the amount of one-half will be divided amongst the overseas Dominions. To date, South Africa has arranged for 50,000 square feet of space, Australia 150,000 square feet, and their allocation for costa is £250,000. India has also arranged for 100,000 square feet of space.” SUNDRY QUESTIONS. WHAT M.P.’S WANT TO KNOW. Among the questions given notice of In the House of Representatives yesterday were the following:— Mr A. McNiool (Pahiatua), to ask the Minister far Internal Affairs whether it is intended to permanently eontinne the system of issuing permits to people leaving New Zealand; and. If so, whether facilities will be offered far the issue of permits in inland towns? Mr G. Mitchell (Wellington South) to ask the Minister for Railways when does he propose to reduce the present exorbitant charge at the railway re-freshment-rooms of 8d for a cup of tea and one sandwich, snob charge being quite unjustifiable at present prices? Mr A. Harris (Waitemata) to ask the Minister for Railways whether he has yet decided to run a limited. express between Auckland and Wellington far the purpose of substantially reducing the train-running time between those termini?