POLITICAL JOTTINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1919, Page 3

POLITICAL JOTTINGS

STATE FORESTS BILL

Mr Massey moved fche second reading of the State Forests Amendment Bilk He said that the Bill set up a State Forest Department, which would look after the forests of the Dominion, but it would not interfere with land suitable for settlement. It was also hoped that reafforestation would take place under the Bill.

Mr ‘•'eddon dealt with the unfortunate position in which the recent timber regulations had placed local bodies and sawmillers on the West Coast, and said he thought this was a place where they should get some relief., Mr Holland said he hoped that when the State Forester was being selected, men in New Zealand would not be overlooked.

The Hon. D. Buddo, protested against' new forests being planted at great distances from rail heads. Mr Massey, in replying, said that if a capable man could be found in New. Zealand he would he appointel State Forester. He confessed tliatthe could not see at present how the local bodies on the West Coast could he helped. He sympathised with them, and thought that the whole subject should be carefully enquired into. While the Bill proposed to add certain lands to the State Forest Reserves, lie gave the House an assurance that settlement would not he interferred with. The Bill was read a second time.

COUNTIES BILL. The Hon. J. B. Hjne moved the second reading of the Counties ActAmendment Bill, which he explained gave the Government power to regulate charges made by counties in connection with the wheel tax. Mr Wilkinson said he regretted that the Bill did not deal with the toll-gate nuisance. . The Bill was read a second time. POWERS OF COUNTY COUNCILS An 'mendment to the Counties’ Act Amendment Bill, of which notice lias been given by the Hon. J. B. Hine, Minister of Internal Affairs, proposes that County Councils shall be empower ed to provide residences for medical practitioners practising within the counties. Power to provide workers homes is conferred by the Counties’ Amendment Act of 1913, and the new Act proposes an extension of this authorisation.

AN EX SOLDIER’S PETITION. Henry Harsent Thompson, insurance agent, o Wellington, lias petitioned Parliament regarding Lis case. He states that he entered Trentham Camp as a volunteer in 1916, and was posted to the infantry in December. He was medically examined by Captain Hotop and another officer, and classed as permanently unfit, owing to physical disabilities. No intimation was given to him that owing to his unfitness, home service was optional, but he was retained in camp on home service duties. In August, 1917, he was again boarded before Captain Hotop. and" classed “fit for active service.” He was surprised at this different decision, and wrote to the camp adjutant, asking for his cate to he reviewed. No reply was received. In August, petitioner again wrote to the Camp Commandant, (Colonel Adams), and his letter contained the words reflecting on Captain Hotop, for which he was afterwards court-martial-led. The petitioner makes certain statements regarding Captain Hotop, and his demeanour at the Medical Board. He maintains that he was debarred from his right of obtaining evidence from attendants ! ;t the Officers Club in Featherston Camp in support of his case, and was peremptorily ordered to leave the premises. He was sentenced to 112 days’ confinement. He maintained that the sentence ol the Court was wrong, and goes into the legal aspect of this point of his case. In any case, he says, the sentence v excessive. He complains that the conditions during his detention in the Butkle St. Barracks were worse than in any gaol in New. Zealand. The foor was filthy, bad, and insufficient. Upon his release he was transferred o C.l Camp, where his sufferings were extreme. His record in business, he claims, has been a good one. He as <s that the offence charged against him be expunged from the records, and that £2OOO he awarded him for wrongs su '- ferod. __