PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 63, 14 July 1915, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Pun P»iv:«u Association. Wellington, July 13. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m., when a message from the House of Representatives was read agreeing to the amendment to the Statutes Compilation Bill. The following Bills were road a. second time:—Enemy Contracts Bill, Local Authorities Empowering Bill, Arbitration Amendment Bill, New Zealand Society of Accountants Bill. The Enemy Contracts Bill was considered in committee, reported without amendment, and passed. The Council adjourned at 3 p.m. for the presentation of the Speaker f o the Covernor. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m., when the Attorney-General gave notice of intention to introduce next sitting day the War Funds Bill.

In reply to Sir Joseph Waul, Hou. R. H. Rhodes said ho had agreed to a conference with the Now Zealand branch of the British Medical at ion, with a view to organising tho medical services of the Dominion.

In reply to Mr L. M. Isitt. bl.< Prime Minister said the Government Find not overlooked the question ol reducing the number ol racing and trotting meetings in the Dominion during the present crisis. In reply to Mr A. M. Myers, who drew attention to the statement that Now Zelaudors were enlisting in Australia. the Minister of Defence said that he believed men were going to Australia to enlist, but the process there was different to our method in Now Zealand, A number of New. Zealanders had gone to Australia who had been invalided from Egypt through their own fault, and he would not re-enlist them. In reply to.Mr G. W. Russell the Minuter of Defence said he had no intention to establish camps in the South Island. In reply to Sir J. G. Ward, the Prime Minister said arrangementwould he made to assist persons who wished to place complaints lie fore the Royal Commission that is to inquire into Trentham Camp matters In reply to Mr C. H. I’oolo, the Minister of Health said facilities were provided to enable >arents to visit their sons in camp hosoPsls. - In reply to Mr J. Payne, the Minister of Defence explained that returning troopers by the Willcvhra. will be received at the Town Hall on Thursday. Those who may he too ill to attend the gathering at'the Veil would be despatched to their homes by special trains, or bv steamers. Only the next-of-kin would, be a.I >wed on the steamer. In reply to Mr G. W. llnsseil. vho characterised Trentham as a ‘‘''everstricken hole.” Hon. James Von said there were 1400 men still at Tree tham, and that not u case of sickness had been reported during the last throe or four days. In reply to Sir J. G. Ward, the Minister of Defence said the Depart ment was continuing the allotment money of men reported missing to their successors, if, they were entitled under the Defence Act, 1909. That was all the law allowed them to do. In reply to Mr E. Harris, the Prime Minister said that many misleading statements had been made regarding Rangiotu Camp. The site was one ot the best sites he had seen, an adequate water supply being laid on from an excellent artesian well in the vicinity. In reply to Mr T. Wilford, the Minister of Defence said an extra shilling

day »wjuv..s.iu.i all<•«;> being paid to wiv('s of soldiers from Ist '.June last. If payment had not been (made he would inquire into the particular cases. In reply to Mr P. Webb. the Minister of Defence said there was nothing to prevent! soldiers at Trent ham from communicating with mom tiers <>t Parliament, but he strongly deprecated interference hr members between men and their officers. The following Bills were read a first time:—lndustrial Unions and Trade Unions Enabling Bill r.r J. Me Combs), Unregistered Nurses Bill (Mr J. Payne), Factories Act Amendment Bill (Mr .). Payne), Gas Supply Control Bill ('Mr J. Pay net. Notice was received from the Legislative Council that it had passed the Enemy Contracts Bill without amendment. A debate, which lasted till the dinner adjournment, took place on the Minister laying on the table a memorandum from the Chief of Staff on the provision of reinfor<vmoiK, crafts for the New Zealand expeditionary lor:es. Mr G. W. Hus: oil severely coir,cented on the Mini .ter s statement that Now Zealanders enlisting in Australia had been rejected here because they liad been invalided home owing to their own fault. The Minister, in reply, assured the Hou tl at his remarks only applied to a tew men. When the House resumed at 7.30 p.m. the Expiry Laws Continuance Mill, Expeditionary Forces Bill, and uneiulments to the War Pensions Bill wore introduced by Governor’s Message and read a first time. The House wont into Committee on th War Pensions Bill. Mr Hanaii, speaking on the title of the Bill, suggested'that a totally disabled soldier should receive two pounds per week. Other speakers all favored an ;u----jrouse ujhiii 255. Hon. Janies Allen said ho had tgreed to submit a second schedule to the Defence Committee. H’ honed a good deal might he done to teach ihe disabled men to help themselves. An actuarial examination showed that on an enlistment of 50,000 men it might be expected that the pension money "equired for one year would amount to £449,000; that would he ft r ikii‘oramissioned officers and ion cnly. ud (lid not include officers. The debate was continued by Jessrs McDonald, Walker, McCombs, Glover, Coates. Mander, Poole, 'hit learnings, Smith, Ngata, Dr. McNab, Dickson (Chalmers), Craigic, Russell ind Hino. The Minister agreed to refer both ;ohedules to the committee, and the thort title passed at 11.45 p.m.