POLITICAL NOTES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 17968, 8 September 1920, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

THE SUGAR STRIKE.

(By Telegraph.) (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Sept. 7. Several questions in regard to the dispute between sugar workers and the Colonial Sugar Refining Company were asked in the House today. Mr. Parry (Auckland Central) asked the Minister of Industries and Commerce whether he was aware the men had agreed at a meeting on Sunday to ko back to work, the only stipulation being that the Company should not discriminate against any of the old hands.

Hon. Lee: “I understand that to be the position.” Mr. Parry then asked whether the Minister thought in these circumstances the Company was justified in adopting , the policy of. victimisation. The Minister replied this was a matter between the Company and the men. The Government was not the employer of the men. He regretted the delay in the making of ihe award and then said he had endeavoured to get raw sugar brought to Wellington and South Island ports, but there had been no men offering to load the boat. The Government had requested the company by telegrams to both the office in Auckland and the headquarters in

Sydney to allow all men to return »o work. (Hear, hear.). I Mr. Hamilton • (Awarua) asked i whether breweries were still securing all the sugar they required, to i which the Minister replied that. | breweries came last on the list. I In reply to Mr. Witty (Riccarton), I Hon. Loe said he thought it possible | that the next shipment of raw sugar from the Islands could be diverted ’o southern ports, provided there ■ was no difficulty in unloading it- ■ There was some refined sugar and a I deal of raw sugar almost as good i at the works now, but there was no ; labour offering to load it for ship-

ment south. TRAINING OF NURSES. WELLINGTON. Sept. 7. The Minister of Health was asked by Mr. McCombs if he would favourably consider altering the regulations under which hospital nurses wishing to qualify in midwifery were required to give six months service without pay in St. Helen’s hospital. “The matter is already having my attention,” said the Hon. Parr. When he took office he found a fee was charged for training in midwifery. and as he considered that unjustified, the regulations wer< amended. The matter of salan during the training was a different question which he would look inta

PENSIONS. WELLINGTON. Sept. 7. There have been several statements this session that an amending Pensions Bill will be brought down. In reply to an enquiry by Mr. Eraser as to when the Bill would appear, the Minister of Pensions (Sir W. Herries) said to-day it was now being drafted, but the date of introduction depended on the time occupied in drafting the measure, and I other business before the House. “IT CAN’T BE DONE.” WELLINGTON, Sept. 7. The Minister of Defence, Sir R. R. Rhodes, informed Mr Mitchell that th* I Returned Soldiers’ Association had met j I im and presented their demand for 75 per cent, increase. He had made hia I own estimate but was awaiting a detailed report from the Department before submitting the matter to Cabinet. Mr Mitchell : “ But will there bo a Bill this session?” The Prime Minister said a Bill would bo brought down, “but I may tell the House the proposed increase of a million per annum is quite impossible. It can’t bo dt>ne."