TO GO TO CAMP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1747, 1 November 1917, Page 3

TO GO TO CAMP.

MR. P. C. WEBB, M.P. ARE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT ESSENTIAL? Are members of Parliament more essential than policemen? That was one of several questions which presented themselves to the Third Wellington Military Service Board when the case of Patrick Charles Webb, M.P., was being considered The appeal was not a personal one, but was made by Mr Webb’s constituents on the ground of public interest —mainly, the interests of the mining community. The board comprised Messrs H. J. Beswick (chairman), A. O’L. Considine, and M. J. Mack, with Captain P. Baldwin as Military Representative. Mr M’Combs, M.P., represented the appellants. The case was .adjourned on Monday morning to permit of the personal appearance of Mr Webb, but, on resuming later in the day, Mr M’Combs said he did not intend to call any more evidence. It had been decided to allow the case to rest on the appeal made by Mr Webb’s constituents in their own interests. The Chairman: Are a man’s constituents his employers or masters ? Captain Baldwin; I was going to take that point. Mr M’Combs: Perhaps not in the strict sense, but they are in the same sense that country residents are employers of doctors. ' The Chairman: I don’t know whether that is a parallel case. The position is a very peculiar one. It is the first time a member of Parliament has appeared before any board. Mr M’Combs: I would not like it laid down that a member of Parliament is of less importance than a minister of religion or a policeman. There might be a dozen ministers of religion in Mr Webb’s electorate. They are all exempt. However, if the Board considers Mr Webb less essential as a member of Parliament than a policeman it still has to consider Mr Webb’s position as a coalminer. Captain Baldwin: And yet Mr Webb will not come before the board and give an undertaking that he will engage in mining during the recess ? Mr M’Combs: That is not a fair statement. Captain Baldwin: I am putting it to you as a question. Mr M’Combs: “Mr Webb withdrew his personal appeal.” He was strongly opposed to appealing himself. If the Board wanted to hear Mr Webb then the Board should send for him. Frank Reed, Chief Inspector of Mines and Inspecting Engineer to the Mines Department, was then called to answer certain statements made by John Arbuckle, a previous witness, in his evidence on Monday, in which it was alleged that regulations for safety in mines had been disregarded by the Mines Department. Captain Baldwin: Can you say that in every ease where the Mines Department inspectors have recommended smoke-helmets and lifesaving devices, such provision has been made? Witness: I certainly can. The Department, lias always upheld the recommendation of the inspectors. Captain Baldwin: In your opinion is Mr Webb’s knowledge of mining essential to the proper earying out of the work of the Mines Department? Witness:. I consider the experts of our Department are perfectly capable men to carry out the work without outside assistance. Mr M’Combs: Would you regard any advice coming from Mr Webb as coming from an expert ? Witness No, not as an expert, but as an experienced man. He did not regard Mr Webb as essential to the interests of the miners, but Mr Webb was a very useful man to represent the miners in Parliament. There was no further evidence, and the Chairman, after a brief consultation, stated that the Board saw no reason why Mr Webb should not go into camp. However, he would have leave until 10th December.