PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 17 October 1917, Page 1

PARLIAMENT

[min mriiss association. —copyright.] WELLINGTON, Oct. 111. THE COUNCIL. - & ■ 'Hie Council mot at 2..10 p-.m. SOLDIERS SETTLEMENT, i ~ The Council read a second time tin j'D’isoharged Soldiers Settlement Bill.

THE HOUSE. The House met at 2.30 p.m. i SHIRKERS. X Replying to Mr. lsitt, Sir James Allen stated that Cabinet had decided that the police should take action on racecourses, show grounds etc., with a view to discovering shirker* under the Military Service Act. CONFISCATING. Replying to a question, the Premier said Government was considering the question of confiscating land held by persons who disappeared, thereby failing to perforin their duty under the Alilitarv Service Act. TREATMENT OF WOUNDED. Laying a return upon the table the Hon. G. W. Russell said, in consequence of the increase of wounded and invalid soldiers due to recent arrivals,, the country would have to face the expense of increased accommodation at several curative institutions. , SOLDIERS’ ALLOWANCES. Sir James Allen laid before the House the Government proposals for soldiers’ allowances which he said, would cost £1,144,000 per annum. The House decided to take the discussion in committee. NEW LOAN BILL. War Purposes Loan Bill No. 2 was introduced by Governor’s Alessage. The Bill proposes to raise an additional four millions for war purposes. ALLOWANCES AGREED TO. At the evening sitting, members debated the scale of soldiers allowances until midnight, when Mr. Payne moved that the proposed regulations, be referred hack to Government for further consideration.

On division the amendment was lost by 11 to 13 and the regulations were adopted. The House rose at 12.1 a a,in.