PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1921, Page 1

PARLIAMENT

QUESTIONS. Mr Seddou (AVestlnnd) asked tho Minister of Justice .What are the Government's iutestions in regard to the possession of revolvers obtained on battlefields hv returned soldiers and which they desire to retain as souvenirs ? (Note.- Many of those revolvers were obtained at groat personal risk and under unparalleled circumstances, and tho soldiers would deeply resent a-nv attempt made permanently to rl«prive them of such souvenirs.)

The Hon Lee (Alinistcr of Justice replied. There is no restriction on the possession of such revolvers fas distinct from automatic- pistols). provided they nre registered in aeeordanro with Section 9 of'the Arms Ac t. 1920, hut they must not he carried about without- a permit. Returned soldiers who desire to retain automatic pistols as war souvenirs must obtain at license to do so from the Arinister of Defence. AH applications for such licenses are being dealt with on their merits.

Mr Seilih.n (West land) listed the Prime Alinistcr. Whether lie will arrange for inst ructions to he issued to floods of Departments that no report or comment upon any man’s military service is to he mad,, without referenceto the Defence Department, and whether he will nrrnn.ro that any such report or comment which has already been made by tho TTenil of a Department shall hoc deleted from the file of the man concerned? The Right- TTOII. All- Mnssev (Prime Arinister) replied. So far as T am aware, no information concerning a man’s military service is obtained except offieiallv through the Defence De. part incut. Inquiry will he made into ;I ,iv special ease if brought under n01i,.-. 1i,.-.