WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16311, 11 December 1918, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

SPEEDY LEGISLATION. A RECORD ESTABLISHED. \ B'- - TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. WELLINGTON, Dec. 10. Something Jjike a record in hurried legislation was established with the Public Health Amendment Bill. It contained the most drastic provisions, which in an ordinary session would have been debated for several days at least. In the House of Representatives it went through with scarcely a debate. Previously members thought the Legislative Council would not have the measure on any account. _ There are indications that this opinion was shared by members of the Government. The Council received the measure this morning, debated it leisurely, amended and passed it, retaining the principal provisions for the establishment of a Public Health Board and advisory committee, the establishment of lodginghouses, the demolition of insanitary buildings, the control of houses to prevent overcrowding, drastic inspection provisions and the appointment of medical officers. '

BUSINESS VERY QUIET. Though Wellington is now clear of the epidemic the town is extraordinarily quiet and business people state that last month was the worst experienced for some time. They are doubtful if trade will revive for Christmas. Naturally the demobilisation of the camps is affecting business. AERIAL MAIL SERVICE. It is indicated hy a clause in the Appropriation Bill that Sir Joseph Ward is in earnest in his proposal for an aerial mail service. Tho clause empowers tho Postmaster-General to make contracts for the carriage of mails by sea, air or land. OUR AVAR EXPENDITURE. Tho total war expenditure in New Zealand from August 4, 1914, to September 30, 1918, was £48,601,908, made up of £48,111.672 in actual war expenditure, £233,237 for relief, and' £256,997 for charges and expenses in raising leans. In addition there are imprests outstanding in New 'Zealand and London for £2,815,742, bringing the total indebtedness to £51,417,650. The biggest items of expenditure were: Equipment £3,640,634, pay and allowances £19,594,954, medical expenses £870.797, camps £706.330, rations £1,788,807, transport £5,371,887, per capita payments to the AVar Office for maintenance in the field, etc., £12,435,000. IMPORTS OF SPIRITS. During the war period', from August 4, 1914. to October 30, 1918, spirits imported into New Zealand amounted to 4.906,297 gallons, made up of 4,382.866 gallons of. beverage spirits, 511,197 of spirits of win© for the manufacture of methylated spirits; medicinal preparations and so on, 6655 gallons of perfumed spirits and 5579 gallons of other spirits. PARLIAMENTARY CHECKS* LACKING.

Mr. Wright to-night said he was sorry that a drastic alteration had been made with Section 39 of the Appropriation Act, which extended the annual appropriation to December 31, 1919 (instead of to March 31). Referring generally to the rush of Bills, he said that it was almost impossible for members to have a working knowledge of the proposals. They were expected to pass tho Legislature befor© they knew the provisions. In the case of the extension in tho Appropriation Act, Parliament had the danger of losing control of the Executive, for voting supply was the only control which Parliament had over the Executive.