PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14353, 19 July 1917, Page 7

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

LEAVE FOR WEBB. /From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. In acordance with his notice made necessary, owing to objection raised by a section on the Reform side of the House, Mr Walker moved that P. C. Webb he granted a week's further leave of absence. When Mr Speaker put the question several explosive "Noes" were heard, but the objectors did not go the length of demanding a division, and the leave sought was granted. NOT OREDITKD, | Mr Vigor Brown asked the Premier if there was any truth m the report that ; Air Malcolm Ross, New Zealand's war correspondent, had been appointed military censor. Mr Massey replied that he knew nothing about any such appointment, and that he did not believe that Mr Ross had been so appointed. .TYRE! DUTY AND PETROL. A revision of the tariff so as to secure a 10 per cent, tax on motor tyres for payment to local bodies to maintain I roads was suggested by Mr Talbot. The Minister of Customs replied that there i is little prospect of the matter being , dealt with m the near future, but the importance of the upkeep of roads was j fully recognised by the Government, and i a measure no doubt would be introduced ( dealing with the matter as soon as the war is over. Another question urged the reduoticn of the freight rate for petrol. Mr Hemes replied that there is no present intention of reducing railway rates during the continuation of the war. The representations made m regard to petrol j have, however, been noted, and will be considered when the tariff is being revised. / FINANCIAL HELP FOR 'SOLDIERS. Li answering an inquiry by Mr Parr whether the Government would provide for the payment of interest on imort- J gages owing hy men. of limited means m j the Second Division, Sir Joseph Ward ! stated that assistance is already being ! rendered when recommended by the Sol- ' diers' Financial Assistance Board, set up ! under the Military Service Act, 1916, ' and will be continued to men of" the Second Division. The Minister added : ' "It has been possible ever since the war commenced for married men to obtain advances from the State Advances Department for the purpose of repaying mortgages on their homes. Sir James Allen, m reply to a question on the subject of insurance, stated that the Government had already made provision, to meet the obligations of soldiers respecting life insurance, enabling every case to be dealt with on its merits. THE PROMOTION. PRINCIPLE. Sir James Allen again expressed regret that there are no vacancies available for the appointment of territorial officers of the First Division to rank them higher than that of second lieutenant. He points out that it is against , all settled principle of promotion m the ! New Zealand Expeditionary Force that ' steps to higher rank should be gained, hy examination, and adds that the officers concerned would have -an opportunity to gaini promotion by meritorious service m the field. TERRITORIAL CAMPS. Replying to a suggestion that territorial camps should be discontinued during the war period. Sir James Allen pointed out that territorial camps do not begin until next February, and the dis- ' continuance or otherwise of .'the annual camps must depend on the conditions l existing m the Dominion at that time. ' Every consideration will ibe given to the needs of the country. Sir James Allen added that it is not considered advisable to discontinue the holding of parades at present. .. v , ,