TROUBLE IN THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2497, 25 June 1915, Page 8

TROUBLE IN THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT

OPPOSITION LEAVES THE HOUSE. By Telegraph—Press As£ocia,Uon-Oopyri£l'.t (Rec. June 24, 11.15 p.m.) Melbourne, June 24. In the House three months' Supply, totalling £8,611,581, was passed. Mr. Cook, Leader of tho Opposition, called attention to the fact that Britain was spending three millions daily, while Australia, with one-ninth of the population, was spending £40,000. He maintained that they were not doing enough. On the second reading of the first Referendum Bill, Mr. Cook moved an amendment that in view of the war the Bill should not be proceeded with, that there should be a cessation of all party conflict, that measures absolutely necessary should be passed, that there should be a most strenuous prosecution of the war, and that the proper administration of publio business alone should be dealt with. The Speaker took exception to tho wording of the amendment. Mr. Cook, in withdrawing it, announced that his party would not participate iu the debate, and then led the whole Opposition from the House. The Ministerialists are continuing the debate. SIX REFERENDUM BILLS PASSED. (Rec. June 25, 1.15 a.m.) Melbourne, June 24. After all six Referendum Bills had passed' the Committee stage, Mr. Cook and the Opposition returned to the House.

Lieutenant-Colonel A. Plugge, officer commanding the Auckland Infantry Battalion, who was reported wounded early in May, >» now at Devonport, England. Mr. Graves Aickin, Auckland, received tho following telegram from the Prime Minister on Monday.:—"l have received a cablegram from the High Commissioner stating that Lieutenant-Colonel Pluggo had been admitted to the military hospital at Dovonport, England. 1 hope lie will soon be quite recovered, and be lit for further service." Private John Douds (Auckland Battalion, missing) is the eldest sou _ol Mr. James Douds, Hills Road, Christchurch. He joined the railway servico many years ago, and for some years was a guard on North Canterbury lines. About six years ago be was transferred to the North Island, and was stationed at Lower llntt and I'aekakariki as guard and signalman. Shortly before t.n« war started he left the service and started in business as an auctioneer. He enlisted at liotorna, and was one of the ten men who left, to join the First Reinforcements. Private Cyril Knight, Canterbury Infantry Battalion, who lias been killed in action, came to Noiv Zealand from Burton on Trent nine years ago, and had been engaged in business in and around Auckland for some years. Latterly lie had resided at Devonport, where lie was well known in football and cricket circles. A younger brother left with the last reinforcement, and the only other brother is ivith Vnu Briiihh twp# Itt