THE HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1520, 16 August 1912, Page 6

THE HOUSE.

PANAMA CANAL DUES. , The House of 'Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. Panama Canal Dues. : f Sir JOSEPH WARD (Awarua) a*ked the-Primo Minister whether he- was taking any action concerning, the Bill before :he United States Government dealing ■ ivith- tho Panama Canal. According' to :he terms of the Hay-Pnuncefote Treaty 10 disabilities were to be imposed on, British ships going through- the canal." It the Bill received the consent of President Toft ships from this counlrv to England would be affected considerably. Shipping to-this country had already been hampered by the heavy dues imposed in the Suez Canal. If the Panama Canal were open to British shipping it would bo of enormous advantage to the trade of-this country . The Hon. W. F. MASSEY (Prime Min-1 ister): Tho honourable gentleman is evidently not aware that another leader of the Opposition brought this matter up. Sir Joseph Ward: I am not the leader of the Opposition. I said another leader of the Opposition. -I can't give anv other answer than I gave before, that the matter, is under the consideration of Government, and I hope to give a reply in tho course of a few days. ■Sir Joseph "Ward: I was not here on the former occasion; otherwise. I should not have asked tho question. I may say that I am not aspiring to be recognised as »ne of the leadors of the Opposition. He thanked the leader of the Government and tho Minister for Public Works for tho extra accommodation provided in tho Opposition Whip's room.' Thev had now 83 seats. They might, of course, require more shortly. ■Mr: Mnssf/y: I am'glair to have the thanks of the honourable gentleman, os- | pecially as it indicates that, thev are going to occupy the Opposition Whip's Toora for a very long time. Sir Joseph Ward: I can assure The rest of his remarks were drowned to a burst of laughter. ". MILITARY TRAINING. ' AMENDING- LAW TO BE HASTENED. Mr. L. M. ISITT (Christchurch North) asked the Minister for Defence if, as.the Government had expressed its intention of altering tho penalty attaching to tho refusal of Territorials to serve, 'he would direct all prosecutions to cease until tho new form of penalty, had been dctermin«l. Mr. Isilt added that although tho Government had expressed its conviction that imprisonment was in error, prosecutions wero still going on, and one was, ho believed, to be dealt with that. day. The MINISTER TOR DEFENCE (tho Hon. J: Allen) replied that tho punishment for brcaoh of tho lavr would con-

tinue. : The method of the penalty might be altered when Parliament passed the nev/ Defence Bill. The Government proposed that military detention should bo submitted for imprisonment. "I have no intention," added Mr. Allen, "to allow any body who makes a breach of tho law to escape tho natural punishment for a breach of the law. The Bill is now in the hands of tho law Draftsman, and as soon as it is ready I shall bring it before tho House and try to get it through."