POLITICAL NOTES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 174, 28 August 1914, Page 9

POLITICAL NOTES.

INCREASE OF FREIGHTS. [From our own Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, August 27. In reply to Sir Walter Buchanan (Wairarapa) in the House this evening, the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey stated that the matter of increased freights on steamers was under the consideration of the Government. So fdr as the transports were concerned there had been no increase. He noticed with surprise the proposed threatened increase, and he thought it was ill-timed and mistaken. He sincerely hoped, it would not lie insisted on by the companies trading to this country. In response to a question put by Mr J. A. Young (Waikato), Mr Allen stated that the refrigerating chambers of the transports were filled up with muttou, and there would be 110 room for butter.

Sir Joseph Ward remarked that he'was •lead against any increase of freights, as it was essential to the welfare of the country that there should be reasonably cheap transport. The trouble seemed to be the war risks. He believed that the New Zealand Government should accept risks on the hulls of the steamers that were to be used.

Replying to Sir Joseph "Ward at a later stage, the Prime Minister said that the Government had been in communication with the Imperial authorities for some time with, regard to war risks, but so far no satisfactory result had been arrived at, except with regard to the transports. Considerable progress had been made in the matter, and he hoped that a definite announcement would be made within a few days by the Minister in charge of the Insurance Department. Sir Joseph Ward: Let it be soon, as the matter is of great importance.

THE ELECTIONS. [From our own Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, August 27. Mr C. A. Wilkinson (Egmont) asked the Prime Minister in the House this evening whether a general request had reached him from members, that the elections should be postponed till March next, and, if so, what did the Government intend to do in the matter? The Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey: No such request has reached me, so that I am not able to give a reply.