THE GRATUITIES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 304, 19 September 1919, Page 8

THE GRATUITIES

MINIVER'S STATEMENT TO-DAY THE PROCEDURE IN PARLIAMENT GOVERNMENT TAKES RESPONSIBILITY

A question regarding tho opportunity to be afforded members of discussing the gratuities scheme was raised in tho House of Representatives yesterday. Tho Hon. G. W. Eussell (Avon) asked if the scheme would come down in the form of a Bill or a paper, and what facilities would be given debate? The Minister of Defence (Sir James Allen) said ho would present the scheme in tho form of a paper, Ho imped to have the scheme, the conditions and tho form of application printed and placed in the hands of members stime time tho following day. Tho scheme could bo discussed on tho motion to lay the paper on the tabic. Mr. AV. A. Veitch (Wauganui): .Can wo see it when we are discussing it?

Sir James Allen said ho wo.ild circulate tho paper when ho h;id read it to tho House. Members would have an opportunity to read it while he. was makinpb some explanatory remaika. Sir Joseph Ward (Awarua) suggested that after the paper had been presented tliere should be timo for consideration before the discussion took place. Members could n,ot discuss an important scheme before they had had time to study it. ■ . Sir James Allen: I think members will have digested it by tho timo I have made my remarks. It is quite simple. Sir Joseph Ward said that if the proposal took tho form of a Bill tho House would have proper opportunity for discussiom but a paper was a diucrent matter It would bo laid on the table, and there would be an end of it as far as the House was concernea. - Sir James Allen replied that a Bill iras not necessary. The Government had tower already to pay the gratuities by Ordefin-Couuoil. and this order had already been prepared, ■ Mr. Rii'ssoll: "Does the Government proposo to ask tho approval of the House of the scheme? Is it going to submit tho scheme in a form in which tho House will be able to acce.pt responsibility? Ho 'added that many details would require discussion. • ~,".„ Sir James Allen said it won d bo impossible to provide in a Hill all the conditions that would be necessary, tho House would receive ful»- information. Sir Joseph Ward repeated that members would not-bo able to understand tho proposals unless timo hail been allowed for consideration. The House could not come to a decision upon the Minister's scheme when the 6ole motion' was that a paper should lie on the table. , The Prime Minister said\the Government had no intention -of- taking any advantage of members. Members would bo able to understand the. proposals in five minutes. They could bo contained in a sheet of foolscap, and wore oeriectly simple and straightforward. Ho was quite suro'tho Leader of the Opposition would be perfectly satisfied with them. Sir Joseph Ward: That docs not cleaT the point. Supposing wo do not agreo with -tho'-proposals or «te m doubt about any point, how are nve to, show our opposition?

' ■Mr. Massey: Say, so. Sir Joseph Ward: Saying-so is no use. Wo -will have no effective voice. Wo cannot consider such important matters while hearing them explained by the Minister of Defence. The time will be too 6hort. • ..it Mr Massey: There has licen quite sufficient delay in regard fjo- this matter already, Tho Minister of Defence would have liked to present the scheme a month wo, but that was impossible. Tho sooner the matter is settled the better. I don.t think it should bo allowed to stand "over until next sitting day, which means next W fhe Hon. A. 'M. Myors . (Auokland East): Give us some indication now ot the lines of the scheme. Mr. Massey: That is for tho Defence Minister. . , ~ Hon. D. Buddo (Kaiaiioi): Will the House have any 'power to alter the proposals contained in the paper? Mr. Massey: The honourable member had better wait until'ths paper comes' Mr' G. J. Anderson (Matau-ra): Will the Prime Minister take into consideration a proposal to set up a committee ot tho House to go into tho .question of gratuities, so that all parties may. have an opwrtunity of expressing opinions upon it? . • . ,1 Mr Massey: That would mean further dcla.v. I think members will find when the pa-por comes down .that any further delay will not be necessary. The. Government must take responsibility, in a matter like this, and J don.t think the question should be referred to a committee.