PARLIAMENT YESTERDAY

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3981, 14 July 1915, Page 7

PARLIAMENT YESTERDAY

THE\ LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. • Press Association Toleurj'm WELLINGTON, July 13. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. A message was read from the House of Representatives agreeing—to the amendment in the Statutes Compilation Bill. The following Bills were road a second time:—Enemy Contracts, Local Authorties Empowering, Arbitration Amendment,, New Zealand Society of Accountants. TlrL Enemy Contracts Bill was considered in Committee and reported without amendment and passed. The Council adjourned at 3 p.m. for the presentation of the Speaker to the Governor. THE HOUSE. Tho House met at 2.30 p.m. In reply to Sir Joseph Ward, Mr Rhodes said he had -agreed to a conference with the New Zealand Branch of the British Medical Association with a. view to organising the medical service in the Dominion. In reply to Mr Myers, who drew attention to a statement that New Zealanders were enlisting in Australia, the Minister for Defence said he believed men were going to Australia to enlist, but the process there was different to our method in New Zealand. A number of Now Zealanders had gone to Australia who had been invalided from Egypt through their own fault" mid he would not re-cnlist them. In reply to Mr Russell, the Minister for Defence said there was no intention to establish camps in the South Island.

In reply to Sir Joseph Ward, the Premier said arrangements would bo made to assist persons who wished to place complaints before the Royal Commission inquiry into matters at Trentham Camp. In reply to Mr Boole, tho Minister for Public Health said facilities were provided to enable parents to visit their sons in camp.-hospitals. In reply to Mr Bayne the Minister for Defence explained that the returning troopers by the-Willed]ra be received at the Town Hall on Thursday. Those who were too ill to attend the gathering at the hall would l)e despatched to their homes by special trains or by steamers. Only the next of kin would be allowed on the steamer.

In reply to Mr Russell, who characterised rrentham as' “A lever stricken hole,” Mr Allen said there wore Idoo men still at ’.rrentham, and that not a case of sickness had been reported during the last three or four days. In reply to Sir Joseph Ward, the .Minister for Defence said the Department was continuing the allotment of money of men reported missing to their successors, if they were entitled to if under the Defence Act, 1009. Iliac was all the law allowed them to do.

In reply to Mr Harris, the Premier said many misleadim- statements had been made regarding the Rangiotu Camp.site. It was one of the best sites lie laid seen, an adequate water supply being laid on from an excellent artesian well in the loealitv.

In reply to Mr Wilford, the Minister of Defence said an extra shilling per day separation allowance was being paid to the wives of soldiers as from Ist June last. If payment had not been made he would inquire into particular cases. In reply to Mr Webb, the Minister said there was nothing to prevent soldiers at Trentham communicating with members of Parliament, but he strongly deprecated interference by members between tho men and their officers. The following Bills were read a first time:—lndustrial Unions and Trade Unions Enabling Bill (Mr McCombs!, Unregistered Nurses (Mr Payne), Factories Act Amendment.. (Mr Bayne). Gas Supply Control (Mr Payne;. A debate, which lasted to the dinner adjournment, took place- on the .Minister laying on the table a memorandum. from the Chief of Staff on the provision of reinforcement drafts for the New Zealand Expeditionary forces. Mr Russell {.severely commented on the Minister’s statement that New Zealanders enlisting’in Australia had been rejected here because Aliev had been invalided home owing to their own fault. The Minister, in reply, assured the House that his remarks onlv applied to a few men. Notice/wills received from the Legislative Council that it had passed the Enemy Contracts Bill without amendment. I lie House rose at 5.30 p.m. I lie House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The Expiry lanes Continuance Bill, the Expeditionary Forces Bill and Amendments to the War Pension's Bill were introduced by Governor’s message and read a first time. The- House went into,Committee on tiio War Pensions Bill. Mr Haiian, speaking on the titte ol the Bill, suggested that- a totally disabled soldier should receive .£2 per week, the debate centring round the suggestion. The spec leers all favored an increase upon, tin l I os. Mr Allen said lie bad agreed to submit the second schedule to tile Defence Committee. Mb hoped a good deal might he done to teach disabled men to help themselves. An m-tuai’.al examination showed that, on an enlistment of 50,000 men, it might be expected tlct the pension mangy required for one year would amount to £449,000. That would he for noiicoimnissioned officers and men only—not to iiicliijjc officers. The debate was continued by Messrs MacDonald, Walker, McCombs, Glover, Coates. Maudcr, Boole, Parr, Jennings, Smith, Ngata, Dickson, Craigie, Russell, Dr. MvNab, and Mine. 4. The Minister agreed to refer both schedules to the committee.

The Short Title was passed at 11.45. Progress was reported at 12.15 and, on the House resuming, the Minister moved that both schedules be referred back to the Secret Defenc Committee. The House rose at 12.20 a.in.