THE HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1793, 4 July 1913, Page 8

THE HOUSE.

The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES. The PRIME MINISTER intimated that lie would move oil the morrow -that Mr. A. S. Malcolm be appointed Chairman of Committees of the House. AMOKURA INQUIRY. Mr. J. A. YOUNG (Waikato) gave notice that he would move to have the report of the Amokura Inquiry Committee laid upon the table of the House. COST OF MINISTERS' TOURS. Mr. H. M. CAMPBELL (Hawke's Bay) gave notice to move for a return showing (1) the cost of each of the last three visits to England of the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward; (2) the cost of the visit to England of the Hon. Sir J. G. Findlay; (3) the cost of the visit to England of tho Hon. J. Allen; (4) the cost of the visit to South Africa, of the Hon. Geo. Fowlds;Xs) the cost of the visit-to Australia of the late Right. Hon. R. J. Seddon to arrange reciprocal agreement; and (G) the oost of the visit to Australia of. the Hon. P. M. B. Fisher to arrange reciprocal agreement. AN'APPOINTMENT PROPOSED. Mr. G. WITTY (Riccarton) notified that he would ask the Government whether it would give effect to the ,request' of the Waikari Farmers' Union and appoint Mr. David Jones immigration agent for the Dominion. The Prime Minister:. Are you anxious to get rid of him? Mr. Witty: No; we want to keep him. ( MILITARY/ PENSIONS. Mr. A. Mi MYERS (Auckland East) gave notice to ask whether the Government would this session remove the restrictions now operating in respect of the military pension. Mr. A. E. GLOVER (Auckland Central) asked a similar question without notice. The Hon. I'. M. B. FISHER said that the hon. gentleman would have to wait until the Government proposals on the subject were laid before the House. MILITARY DETENTION. A COMMITTEE TO INQUIRE. Mr. L. M. ISITT (Christohnroh. North) asked a question without notice about military detention. He was informed that Mr. Bailey, S.M., had visited Ripo Island and sentenced a number of youths in military detention there to seven days' additional detention for refusing to drill, etc. One of these lads was a religious objector and the penalty imposed upon him necessarily placed him in the position of repeating his offences. Mr. Isitt asked what action the Government proposed to take in the matter. The Hon. Jas. ALLEN said that the Act provided for additional detention in such cases and also provided that a religious objector might go before a magistrate and prove his objection. Mr. Isitt said that the lad in question declined to do alternative service. . The Minister said that he proposed to refer to <i committee of the House questions connected with military detention and others connected with the administration of the Dcfenco Act. A MARINE LIGHT. Mr. A. ATMORE- (Nelson) asked when the Marine Department intended to instal the light on the southern end of D'Urville Island promised, last session. The Hon. F. M. B. FISHER: If the hon. gentleman puts his question on the Order Paper 1 will reply to it. NEW BILLS. The Premium Bonds Validation Bill .(Mr. Harris), the Gamine Amendment Bill No. 2 (Mr. Wilford), and the Industrial and Conciliation and Arbitration Bill (Mr. Massey) were read a first time. Tho Dunedin District Drainage and Sewerage Acts Amendment Bill (Mr. Allen) was read a first time and referred to the Local Bills Committee. '