WAR PENSIONS BILL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11365, 11 October 1917, Page 5

WAR PENSIONS BILL.

A LIVELY DISCUSSION. SOME MEMBERS LACK SENSE OF PROPORTION. By Telegraph—Special to Manawatu Tim 63. WELLINGTON, Last Night. Some members who were not at yesterday’s party caucus meetings strongly criticised in the House to-night the generally changed attitude of the other •members towards the War Pensions Amendment Bill, the third reading of which was moved by the Defence Minister. Mr IT'.rnsby (Wairarr.pa) discussed the altered -attitude cf most members of the Liberal Party after attending the joint caucus the previous afternoon. In criticising the House for its lukewarm ness regardin'/ allowances and pensions for the wives of man at the front, the member declared that had it not been for the action of Paniotic Societies many wumcn, left with children, would have starved “If taxation is necessary let us have it The people are ■willing to pay. Why not rc-enforco the Mortgage Tax?” ho asked. After suggesting other methods of raising and saving money the member said: “And why not reduce our reinforcements? In fact, a little bird has whispered that there will be a reduction in our reinforcements because the Mother Country does not expect its to drain our life’s iblood away.”

Mr Witty warmly protested against Mr Hornsby’s attack on the Liberal members because the caucus was not satisfactory to him. He should bo fair. There Was a limit. Tf wo were to find jfchc millions the Government had to be careful not to spoil its sources of reTeuue. It was useless playing to the gallery. lie believed wo were sending away far too many men and were impoverishing the country. Mr Vigor Brown moved an amendment: —

“That this House is of the opinion that the pensions to widows of soldiers provided for in this Bill are in-

adequate. ’ ’ Sir Joseph Ward suggested that there were not many people unwilling to meet the dependents of soldiers generously. Surely members who had a sense of responsibility must also have some sense of proportion in regard to our big financial obligations. “Wo cannot allow our hearts to sway our judgment in assessing the responsibilities ahead,” continued Sir Joseph, who added that Parliament would have met again before one member of the Second Division would be obliged to leave Hew Zealand. We would then be in a better position to see the extent of our war obligations. Wc were well on to £50,000,000 of borrowing. Further regulations have been gazetted for safeguarding ships and cargoes. They declare it unlawful for. any alien or person who is a British subject by naturalisation only to be engaged in the work of lading or unlading of ships. The regulations do not apply to a master or member of a crew who arrived in a ship from any place out of Hew Zealand.

The Gazette announces that the exportation of butter without the consent of the Minister of Customs is prohibited.