THE HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2515, 17 July 1915, Page 7

THE HOUSE

. The House of Representatives sat at 2.30 p.m. 1 " ■ 1 Mr. E. NEWMAN (Rangitikei) gave notice to ask the' Prime Minister what 'steps if any lie has taken to form a • National. Cabinet. . ■ . . 'Mr; C. J. PARR (Eden) gave notice to ask the Prime Minister whether in all, future vacancies in the Government employ he will give employment as caretakers and such other posts as may he available to returned wounded, soldiers. . Mt\ E. NEWMAN (Rangitikei) gave | ■notios to ask the Prime Minister .whether, in opening ,-up areas for land. (settlement, he will in future reserve an area for. soldiers .who have served in the present war. . , Mr. A. M. MYERS (Auckland East) gave notice of the Shops and Offices • 'Amendment Bill. . . ' ' ■ The New Protection Bill (Mr. ; R. 'M'Calliim) was introduced and read a first time.-. J-' ' .. . HOSPITALS IN EGYPT. _,Dr. 'A. K. NEWMAN (Wellington East) asked tho Minister of Dcfenc© whether the Government would instruct medical men returning frotn Egypt and other theatres of war to report upon the necessary equipment required for the base hospitals in Egypt, and whether | such equipment .was not' sufficient and satisfactory, and he : would also ask •what, arrangements ,could- be- made in ;?§'the ,to remove the sick from Egypt' to New Zealand more expeditiously. . .The Hon. R. H. RHODES' said that he had already discussed these and other matters with -tho: senior- medical' officer who had recently returned 'from: Egypt, apd. he-had j.promised to furnish reports either Jo him or to the Minister of Defence..on many, subjeo'ts;-- He would bo glad to take into consideration tho suggestions of the honourable member. .Dr. Newman: Will .you consider 'the question of obtaining reports from all the other doctors who have returned from Egypt. and France as well? , Mr. Rhodes said he would be very glad to accept the suggestion, and he would ask for tho reports.THE AUSTRALIAN NURSES. ' YET ANOTHER OBLIGATION.' Mr. A. HARRIS (Waitemata) suggesfced that the Prime Minister, iii recognition of the great services rendered to our wounded on board the ship Wiliochra and in Egypt/ should invite tho •Australian-nurses to visit the chief beauty spots of the Dominion as guests of the New Zealand Government. The RIGHT HON. W. F. MASSEY s?"} he approved of the sentiment behind the suggestion, and the Government had already issued free passes on the railways to the ntirses., 1 There was . no question that tho Australian nurses did- splendid work on. the Wiliochra for our men. He believed sincerely that the oare and attention given by the nurses ;to the men had been the means -oi saving. life.; It was a fact worth noting that eighty riien wore carried on .board the ship, and sixty-five of those men walked ashore on arrival in •Wellington. He believed he would have an opportunity that day of confer(MiE,witlrthG matron, and he would ask her then to tell, him in . what way <,we could best approve their services, by showing them hospitality in. New Zealand.' "lie service'done by these Australian women on the Wiliochra,'.' ~ he concluded, "has added .another ifeiii to the" very long list of obligations under which -ths Australian 'Commonwealth has placed New Zealand since the commencement of the war." ' (Hear, hear.) : ,THE HON. W. K. NIKORA. ; The RIGHT HON. W..F. MASSEY •moved a resolution of appreciation of the services of the late Hon.W.K.Ni■kora, and of ooridolenco with his relai'tives. Mr. Massey referred in appro-' ciativo .terms to the honourable gentleman's life, arid work in Now Zealand, both, for his own people and as a* public man. The motion was supported by several "•Members of the House, including the Hon. Wv H. Herries, who. represents the-district in which Mr. Nikora, resided, and the Hon. Dr. Pomaro representing the Native raco in the Executive. The House rose at 4.27' p.m., out of respect for tho memory of the late Hon. iW'_ K.. Nikora.