KINGS BOUNTY CLAIM

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160799, 5 November 1920, Page 5

KINGS BOUNTY CLAIM

0 FUN IN PARLIAMENT. (By Telegraph—Special to “Herald”). WELLINGTON, Nov. 4. The House started to-day’s business merrily as a result of a question by Mr Forbes, who wished to claim the King’s Bounty for ,-a'constituent, who has joyfully informed him of the arrival of triplets. He thought the Government ought to do something to encourage—(Laughter)—and a number of jocular interjections interrupted the rest of the question. . The Minister of Internal Affairs replied that the hon. member ought to be a very proud man to-day! (Loud laughter). The Minister added that Mr Forbes was not alone, however, as there had been a .case of quadruplets at Ngaruawahia. He read a stringent condition of the King’s Bounty, including a stipulation that parents must be indigent. When he mentioned that the bounty came to £1 for each child, the house laughed again, while the Minister suggested that the member for Hurunui might celebrate the occasion by a private subsidy. ■ Mr Mitchell: “Out of his salary 1” (Laughter). • . , . . , Mr Witty, in a serious vein, declared that the Government should provide a subsidy because twins and_ triplets were cheaper than immigration. Mr Anderson said the Government might consider triplets. Mr Atmore: “Make a compassionate allowance.” ~